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Dostoevsky gives me more than any scientist, more than Gauss.
Albert Einstein
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Einstein values the insights of literature and philosophy over pure scientific accomplishments.

In this quote, Albert Einstein expresses his belief that the profound emotional and philosophical insights found in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky hold greater significance for him than the rigorous mathematical contributions of scientists like Carl Friedrich Gauss. This reflects the idea that human understanding and experience, conveyed through literature, can provide deeper wisdom than the empirical knowledge obtained through scientific inquiry.

Themes

DostoevskyEinsteinWisdomLiteratureScience

In practice

Example use cases

During a lecture on the importance of literature, someone might refer to this quote to highlight the value of philosophical perspectives.

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I cannot then believe in this concept of an anthropomorphic God who has the powers of interfering with these natural laws. As I said before, the most beautiful and most profound religious emotion that we can experience is the sensation of the mystical. And this mysticality is the power of all true science.
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If I would follow your advice and Jesus could perceive it, he, as a Jewish teacher, surely would not approve of such behavior.
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To me the worst thing seems to be a school principally to work with methods of fear, force and artificial authority. Such treatment destroys the sound sentiments, the sincerity and the self-confidence of pupils and produces a subservient subject.
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