I recently discussed with an intelligent and well-disposed man the threat of another war, which in my opinion would seriously endanger the existence of mankind, and I remarked that only a supranational organization would offer protection from that danger. Thereupon my visitor, very calmly and coolly, said to me: "Why are you so deeply opposed to the disappearance of the human race?".
Interpretation
Einstein discusses the existential risk of war and questions the value of humanity's survival.
In this thought-provoking quote, Einstein engages in a dialogue about the potential for devastating global conflict and the role of supranational organizations in mitigating such threats. His visitor's unsettling question challenges the assumption of humanity's inherent worth and invites reflection on the deeper implications of human existence and our responsibilities toward one another in the face of collective danger.
In practice
In a speech addressing global peace, you might quote Einstein to emphasize the importance of international cooperation.
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.
My thesis topic was 'The value of a human life.' I asked people a question: 'Suppose you had some risk, a one in a thousand risk of dying - how much would you pay to eliminate it?'
Autobiography is usually honest but it is never truthful.
The more laws that are written, the more criminals are produced.
Souls of prayer are souls of great silence
In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty.
We live in oppressive times. We have, as a nation, become our own thought police; but instead of calling the process by which we limit our expression of dissent and wonder ‘censorship,’ we call it ‘concern for commercial viability.
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