Albert Einstein
Birthday:
March 14, 1879 in Ulm, Kingdom of Württemberg [now Baden-Württemberg], Germany
Height:
171 cm
Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Kingdom of Württemberg, to a German Jewish family. He was the son of Pauline (Koch) and Hermann Einstein, a featherbed salesman. Albert began reading and studying science at a young age, and he graduated from a Swiss high school when he was 17. He then attended a Swiss Polytechnic, where he met his first wife. He g...
Show more »
Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Kingdom of Württemberg, to a German Jewish family. He was the son of Pauline (Koch) and Hermann Einstein, a featherbed salesman. Albert began reading and studying science at a young age, and he graduated from a Swiss high school when he was 17. He then attended a Swiss Polytechnic, where he met his first wife. He graduated in 1900, and became a Swiss citizen in 1901. He began working at the Swiss Patent Office and continued his scientific studies. He taught at universities in Prague, Zurich, and Berlin, and continued his research in physics. The onset of World War II led him to move to the United States, and he was granted a post at the Institute for Advanced Study in New Jersey. Einstein was heavily involved in attempting to bring about world peace in his later life, and he continued his scientific research until his death in 1955. Show less «
[giving the most practical, understandable explanation of the Theory of Relativity; how time can expand or contract] You spend 30 minutes wi...Show more »
[giving the most practical, understandable explanation of the Theory of Relativity; how time can expand or contract] You spend 30 minutes with a beautiful girl, it seems like a moment. You spend a moment sitting on a hot stove, it seems like 30 minutes. Show less «
The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.
The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.
I do not much believe in education. Each man ought to be his own model, however frightful that may be.
I do not much believe in education. Each man ought to be his own model, however frightful that may be.
Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.
Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.
I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.
I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?
The wireless telegraph is not difficult to understand. The ordinary telegraph is like a very long cat. You pull the tail in New York, and it...Show more »
The wireless telegraph is not difficult to understand. The ordinary telegraph is like a very long cat. You pull the tail in New York, and it meows in Los Angeles. The wireless is the same, only without the cat. Show less «
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.
The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.
There is a race between mankind and the universe. Mankind is trying to build bigger, better, faster, and more foolproof machines. The univer...Show more »
There is a race between mankind and the universe. Mankind is trying to build bigger, better, faster, and more foolproof machines. The universe is trying to build bigger, better, and faster fools. So far the universe is winning. Show less «
As a young man, my fondest dream was to become a geographer. However, while working in the customs office I thought deeply about the matter ...Show more »
As a young man, my fondest dream was to become a geographer. However, while working in the customs office I thought deeply about the matter and concluded that it was far too difficult a subject. With some reluctance, I then turned to physics as a substitute. Show less «
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
I assert that the cosmic religious experience is the strongest and the noblest driving force behind scientific research.
I assert that the cosmic religious experience is the strongest and the noblest driving force behind scientific research.
I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.
I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.
When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come close to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent...Show more »
When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come close to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge. Show less «
I made one great mistake in my life - when I signed the letter to [President Franklin D. Roosevelt] recommending that atom bombs be made . ....Show more »
I made one great mistake in my life - when I signed the letter to [President Franklin D. Roosevelt] recommending that atom bombs be made . . . but there was some justification: the danger that the Germans would make them. by Ted Morgan in the book "FDR", Simon & Schuster, 1985] Show less «
in "Life" magazine, 9 January 1950] The grand aim of all science is to cover the greatest number of empirical facts by logical deduction fro...Show more »
in "Life" magazine, 9 January 1950] The grand aim of all science is to cover the greatest number of empirical facts by logical deduction from the smallest number of hypotheses or axioms. Show less «
A photograph never grows old. You and I change, people change all through the months and years but a photograph always remains the same. How...Show more »
A photograph never grows old. You and I change, people change all through the months and years but a photograph always remains the same. How nice to look at a photograph of mother or father taken many years ago. You see them as you remember them. But as people live on, they change completely. That is why I think a photograph can be kind. Show less «
Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.
Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.
[upon learning of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima] If I had only known, I would have been a watchmaker!
[upon learning of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima] If I had only known, I would have been a watchmaker!
[referring to Mohandas K. Gandhi after Gandhi's assassination] Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such a one as this e...Show more »
[referring to Mohandas K. Gandhi after Gandhi's assassination] Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth! Show less «
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
I am a deeply religious nonbeliever. This is a somewhat new kind of religion.
I am a deeply religious nonbeliever. This is a somewhat new kind of religion.
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age 18.
Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age 18.
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.
If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.
An empty stomach is not a good political adviser.
An empty stomach is not a good political adviser.
Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.
Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.
The hardest thing in the world to understand is income tax.
The hardest thing in the world to understand is income tax.
If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.
If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.
The eternal mystery of the universe is its comprehensibility.
The eternal mystery of the universe is its comprehensibility.
Before God, we are equally wise--equally foolish.
Before God, we are equally wise--equally foolish.
Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.
Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.
[in 1932] There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be sh...Show more »
[in 1932] There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will. Show less «
If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?
If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?
Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance.
Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance.
Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will spend its life thinking its stupid.
Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will spend its life thinking its stupid.
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.
Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent People Ignore.
Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent People Ignore.
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough
God does not play dice with the universe.
God does not play dice with the universe.
If the idea is not at first absurd, then there is no hope for it.
If the idea is not at first absurd, then there is no hope for it.
I am by heritage a Jew, by citizenship a Swiss, and by makeup a human being, and only a human being, without any special attachment to any s...Show more »
I am by heritage a Jew, by citizenship a Swiss, and by makeup a human being, and only a human being, without any special attachment to any state or national entity whatsoever. Show less «
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.
