Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was a theoretical physicist who revolutionized the understanding of space, time, and gravity with his groundbreaking contributions to the field of physics. In this post, we share several famous Albert Einstein quotes for daily inspiration.

Early Life

Einstein was born in Ulm, in the Kingdom of Württemberg in the German Empire, in 1879. Einstein displayed an early aptitude for mathematics and physics. He began teaching himself algebra, calculus and geometry when he was only twelve years old. At that age, he was confident that nature could be understood as a “mathematical structure”.

After raising Einstein in Ulm, his family later moved to Munich where he continued his education.

Starting School in Zurich

Einstein’s journey into the world of academia began when he enrolled at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich in 1896. Despite facing challenges and initially struggling to conform to the traditional educational system, Einstein eventually found his intellectual stride.

While enrolled at the Federal polytechnic school, Einstein met Serbian Mileva Maric who he eventually married. They married in January 1903, and in 1904, their son Hans Albert was born. Their second son Eduard was later born in Zürich in 1910.

After graduating, Einstein faced difficulty securing a teaching position. Eventually, he found work as a patent examiner at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern, a position he held from 1902 to 1909.

During his time at the patent office, Einstein continued to pursue his scientific interests. This lead to the publication of several groundbreaking papers.

The “Miracle Year”

In 1905, often referred to as his “miracle year,” he published four revolutionary papers that transformed physics. One of these papers introduced the theory of special relativity, challenging conventional notions of space and time.

Another paper on the photoelectric effect laid the groundwork for the development of quantum theory.

In 1915, Einstein presented the field equations of general relativity, which described gravity as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. This theory predicted the existence of phenomena such as gravitational waves and black holes. These were ideas that were considered highly speculative at the time.

In 1919, Sir Arthur Eddington – an English astronomer and mathematician – ran an experiment during a solar eclipse which provided important observational evidence supporting Einstein’s predictions. This catapulted Einstein to international fame.

Einstein’s work had profound implications for our understanding of the universe, and he became a global icon of scientific genius. In 1921, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.

Fleeing the Nazi Regime

In 1933, Einstein emigrated to the United States, fleeing the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany. Soon after, he accepted a position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Einstein finally became a U.S. citizen in 1940.

During World War II, Einstein played a role in urging the United States to develop atomic weapons to counter the threat posed by Nazi Germany. However, he later regretted this involvement and became an advocate for nuclear disarmament.

After the war, Einstein continued to work on a unified field theory which attempted to merge electromagnetism and gravity into a single framework. However, he was unable to achieve this goal.

Despite his fame, Einstein’s later years were marked by his dedication to social causes, including civil rights, disarmament, international cooperation, and opposition to McCarthyism.

The Legacy of Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein passed away on April 18, 1955, leaving behind a legacy that forever changed the landscape of physics. His theories continue to shape our understanding of the universe, and his name is synonymous with intellectual brilliance and the pursuit of knowledge.

Einstein’s impact extends beyond science. He remains an enduring symbol of curiosity, creativity, and the power of human intellect.

Famous Albert Einstein Quotes

Below we share several famous Albert Einstein quotes from throughout his life. We hope these will be a source of inspiration and courage in your life.

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.”

“What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right.”

“Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

“Genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work.”

“Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible.”

“A true genius admits that he or she knows nothing.”

“Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age 18.”

“I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.”

“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.”

“The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”

“If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t understand it yourself.”

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

“A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit, and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?”

“I’d rather be an optimist and a fool than a pessimist and right.”

“It’s harder to crack a prejudice than an atom.”

“As our circle of knowledge expands, so does the circumference of darkness surrounding it.”

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”

“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.”

“If A is a success in life, then A = X + Y + Z.  Work is X; Y is play, and Z is Keeping your mouth shut.”

“The best way to cheer yourself is to cheer somebody else up.”

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

“My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.”

“Nothing happens until something moves.”

“We should take care not to make the intellect our God; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality.”

“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.”

“A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it.”

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”

Albert Einstein Quotes – Final Words

Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was a theoretical physicist who revolutionized the understanding of space, time, and gravity with his groundbreaking contributions to the field of physics. His impact extends beyond science. Einstein remains an enduring symbol of curiosity, creativity, and the power of human intellect.

We hope you enjoyed these Albert Einstein quotes. Check out our site for more sources of inspiration.