If I would be a young man again and had to decide how to make my living, I would not try to become a scientist or scholar or teacher. I would rather choose to be a plumber or a peddler in hope to find that modest degree of independence still available under present circumstances.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that practical professions may offer more independence and fulfillment than traditional academic roles.
Albert Einstein reflects on his life choices, implying that if he had the chance to start over as a young man, he would opt for a more hands-on, independent profession like plumbing or peddling rather than pursuing a career in science, scholarship, or teaching. This highlights the value he places on personal independence and practical skill in a world where traditional paths may not secure happiness or freedom.
In practice
This quote could be used in a graduation speech to inspire students to consider various paths.
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.
May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us in all our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.
I have too many flaws to be perfect. But i have too many blessings to be ungrateful.
Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread.
When someone beats a rug, the blows are not against the rug, but against the dust in it.
Many people dedicate their lives to actualizing a concept of what they should be like, rather than actualizing themselves. This difference between self-actualization and self-image actualization is very important. Most people live only for their image
We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like?
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