Somebody who only reads newspapers and at best books of contemporary authors looks to me like an extremely near-sighted person who scorns eyeglasses. He is completely dependent on the prejudices and fashions of his times, since he never gets to see or hear anything else.
Interpretation
Relying solely on contemporary media limits one's perspective and understanding of the world.
In this quote, Albert Einstein emphasizes the importance of broadening one’s intellectual horizons beyond modern media and literature. He likens someone who only consumes contemporary sources to a near-sighted person who refuses to wear glasses, suggesting that such limited exposure results in a narrow worldview shaped by current trends and biases, preventing true understanding and insight.
In practice
In a speech about the value of diverse literary sources, one could cite Einstein's quote to encourage students to explore a wider range of literature.
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.
In your present-moment awareness, awaken to your innocence, your trust, your love, your eternal being.
The end of knowledge is power ... the scope of all speculation is the performing of some action or thing to be done.
Those who are serious in ridiculous matters will be ridiculous in serious matters.
we know nothing of tomorrow, our business is to be good and happy today
But I was too restless to watch long; I'm too Occidental for a long vigil. I could work at a problem for years, but to wait inactive for twenty-four hours - that's another matter.
Anxiety is the gap between now and later.
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