The trite objects of human efforts-possessions, superficial success, luxury-have always seemed contemptible to me.
Interpretation
Einstein criticizes the pursuit of material possessions and superficial success, highlighting their lack of true value.
In this quote, Albert Einstein expresses his disdain for the common human tendency to prioritize material possessions and superficial achievements over more meaningful pursuits. He suggests that these trite goals lack substance and deep significance, indicating that true fulfillment lies beyond luxury and surface-level success.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of inner values over material gain.
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.
The power to think as you wish to think is the only power over which you have absolute control.
So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.
I had a long talk with Bruce Springsteen on a rooftop during the Vote for Change tour (in 2004). And it boiled down to this: That guy you used to be, he’s still in the car. He’ll always be in the car. Just don’t let him drive. He might be shouting out directions. But whatever you do, don’t let him get behind the wheel.
Out of anger comes controversy, out of controversy comes conversation, out of conversation comes action.
The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer.
The world is full of people who have never, since childhood, met an open doorway with an open mind.
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