But their intervention makes our acts to serve ever less merely the immediate claims of our instincts.
Interpretation
Einstein suggests that outside influences shape our actions beyond our basic instincts.
In this quote, Albert Einstein reflects on the influence of external factors on human behavior. He implies that our actions are not solely driven by our innate instincts; rather, the interventions of society, culture, and knowledge modify our responses and decisions, leading us to act in ways that transcend mere instinctual reactions. This highlights the importance of higher reasoning and conscious choices in guiding our actions.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the role of society in shaping human behavior.
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.
If I would follow your advice and Jesus could perceive it, he, as a Jewish teacher, surely would not approve of such behavior.
I want to know all Gods thoughts; all the rest are just details.
In the middle of adversity there is great opportunity.
I do not believe that civilization will be wiped out in a war fought with the atomic bomb. Perhaps two-thirds of the people of the earth will be killed.
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.
It is a fool's prerogative to utter truths that no one else will speak.
It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing all your life.
If you overesteem great men, people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal. The Master leads by emptying people's minds and filling their cores, by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve. He helps people lose everything they know, everything they desire, and creates confusion in those who think that they know. Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place.
Sometimes the situation is only a problem because it is looked at in a certain way. Looked at in another way, the right course of action may be so obvious that the problem no longer exists.
Begin where you are. Read every word, every phrase, every paragraph of the mind, as it operates through thought.
All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity. When near, make it appear that you are far away; when far away, that you are to lure him; feign disorder and strike him. When he concentrates, prepare against him; where he is strong, avoid him. Anger his general and confuse him. Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
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