Quotes by Albert Einstein

Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.

The release of atomic power has changed everything except our way of thinking ... the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker. (1945)

The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.

The only thing you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.

The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library

I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.

The question that sometimes drives me hazy, am i or the others crazy?

If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare me a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German, and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.

Since the mathematicians have invaded the theory of relativity I do not understand it myself any more.

[The golden proportion] is a scale of proportions which makes the bad difficult [to produce] and the good easy.

When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.

Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all people are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all people and all countries - not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of humankind as civilized.

Intelligent life on other planets? Im not even sure there is on earth!

It seems to me that the idea of a personal God is an anthropological concept which I cannot take seriously. I also cannot imagine some will or goal outside the human sphere... Science has been charged with undermining morality, but the charge is unjust. A mans ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.

Success = 1 part work + 1 part play + 1 part keep your mouth shut

To punish me for my contempt for authority, fate made me an authority myself.

If I can’t picture it, I can’t understand it.

No this trick wont work. . . . How on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?

Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love.

I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.