Albert Einstein was fervently curious about the mysteries of science — and developed the special and general theories of relativity. Considered the most influential physicist of the 20th century, Einstein was also a great philosopher and moral leader.
Here are 25 life lessons from the great mind of Einstein that can be applied to our daily lives.
Never Stop Learning
“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”
If You Want To Live A Happy Life, Tie It To A Goal
“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
Take Matters Into Your Own Hands
“The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”
Intuition Is A Sacred Gift
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”
“I never made one of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.”
Follow Your Curiosity
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”
We Become Happier By Making Others Happy
“The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up.”
Change Your Thinking And You Change Your Life
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
Simplicity
“If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t understand it yourself.”
Let Nature Be Your Teacher
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
Dare To Be Your True Self
“Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.”
Never Stop Questioning
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”
“People like you and I, though mortal of course, like everyone else, do not grow old no matter how long we live. What I mean is that we never cease to stand like curious children before the great Mystery into which we were born.”
Life Is All About Being Of Service
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”
“The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable receiving.”
Knowledge Comes From Experience
“Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”
Work Towards the Impossible
“Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible.”
Following The Crowd Will Get You No Further Than The Crowd
“The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.”
Wisdom Is Not A Product Of Schooling
“Wisdom is not a product of schooling, but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”
In The Middle Of Difficulty Lies Opportunity
“Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
Make Mistakes
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
Be Unconventional
“ I never made one of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.”
Live In The Moment
“I never think of the future — it comes soon enough.”
Create Value Over Success
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
“With fame, I become more and more stupid, which of course is a very common phenomenon.”
Religion And Science Should Work Together, Not Against Each Other
“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”
“Scientists were rated as great heretics by the church, but they were truly religious men because of their faith in the orderliness of the universe.”
Focus On The Present
“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”
You Can’t Make Peace By Using Force
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”
“You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.”
Do What Is Right
“Always do what’s right; this will gratify some and astonish the rest.”
Upon refusing surgery at the age of 76, Einstein stated the following.
“I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go. I will do it elegantly.”