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.
I wish somebody had given me the news that ideas don't just fall on your head like fairy dust. You have to treat that like a job. You have to spend hours each day, where you're just like, 'This is the part of the day when I'm looking for an idea.'
Retire into yourself as much as possible. Associate with people who are likely to improve you. Welcome those whom you are capable of improving. The process is a mutual one. People learn as they teach.
The safest way of not being very miserable is not to expect to be very happy.
When your toil has been a pleasure, you have not earned money merely, but money, health, delight, and moral profit, all in one.
As long as you ask questions you are breaking through, but the moment you begin to accept, you are psychologically dead. So right through life don't accept a thing, but inquire, investigate. Then you will find that your mind is something really extraordinary, it has no end, and to such a mind there is no death.
Intelligence is quickness to apprehend as distinct form ability, which is capacity to act wisely on the thing apprehended.
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