A Monologue by Albert Einstein
A Monologue by Albert Einstein
Arranged by Hrishikesh Bansal, Checkpoint 1B
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious. School failed me, and I failed the
school. It bored me. The teachers behaved like Feldwebel (sergeants).
I wanted to learn what I wanted to know, but they wanted me to learn for the exam.
What I hated most was the competitive system there, and especially sports.
Because of this, I wasn’t worth anything, and several times they suggested I leave.
school. It bored me. The teachers behaved like Feldwebel (sergeants).
I wanted to learn what I wanted to know, but they wanted me to learn for the exam.
What I hated most was the competitive system there, and especially sports.
Because of this, I wasn’t worth anything, and several times they suggested I leave.
The most important tool of the theoretical physicist is his wastebasket.
In science, moreover, the work of the individual is so bound up with that of his
scientific predecessors and contemporaries that it appears almost as an impersonal
product of his generation
In science, moreover, the work of the individual is so bound up with that of his
scientific predecessors and contemporaries that it appears almost as an impersonal
product of his generation
Quantum mechanics is certainly imposing. But an inner voice tells me that it is not yet
the real thing. The theory says a lot, but does not really bring us any closer to the
secret of the “old one.” I, at any rate, am convinced that He does not throw dice.
the real thing. The theory says a lot, but does not really bring us any closer to the
secret of the “old one.” I, at any rate, am convinced that He does not throw dice.
What lead me more or less directly to the special theory of relativity was the
conviction that the electromotive force acting on a body in motion in a magnetic
field was nothing else but an electric field. Movement can only be detected and
measured as relative movement; the change of position of one body in respect to another.
conviction that the electromotive force acting on a body in motion in a magnetic
field was nothing else but an electric field. Movement can only be detected and
measured as relative movement; the change of position of one body in respect to another.
If electrons travelled at close to the speed of light, their weight would increase
E= mc2 where E = energy, m = mass and c = speed of light.
I was offered the position as President of Israel, but, I declined.
I have neither the natural ability nor the experience to deal with human beings.
I am deeply moved by the offer from our State of Israel, and at once saddened and
ashamed that I cannot accept it.
My passionate sense of social justice and social responsibility has always contrasted
oddly with my pronounced lack of need for direct contact with other human beings
and human communities.
I have neither the natural ability nor the experience to deal with human beings.
I am deeply moved by the offer from our State of Israel, and at once saddened and
ashamed that I cannot accept it.
My passionate sense of social justice and social responsibility has always contrasted
oddly with my pronounced lack of need for direct contact with other human beings
and human communities.
Peace cannot be kept by force.
It can only be achieved by understanding.
You cannot subjugate a nation forcibly unless you wipe out every man, woman, and child.
Unless you wish to use such drastic measures,
you must find a way of settling your disputes without resort to arms.
Today we must abandon competition and secure cooperation.
This must be the central fact in all our considerations of international affairs;
otherwise we face certain disaster.I do not know how the Third World War will be fought,
but I can tell you what they will use in the Fourth — rocks!
It is my view that a vegetarian manner of living by its purely physical effect on the
human temperament would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind.
I am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can help humanity forward,
even in the hands of the most devoted worker in this cause.
The example of great and pure characters is the only thing that can produce
fine ideas and noble deeds.
It can only be achieved by understanding.
You cannot subjugate a nation forcibly unless you wipe out every man, woman, and child.
Unless you wish to use such drastic measures,
you must find a way of settling your disputes without resort to arms.
Today we must abandon competition and secure cooperation.
This must be the central fact in all our considerations of international affairs;
otherwise we face certain disaster.I do not know how the Third World War will be fought,
but I can tell you what they will use in the Fourth — rocks!
It is my view that a vegetarian manner of living by its purely physical effect on the
human temperament would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind.
I am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can help humanity forward,
even in the hands of the most devoted worker in this cause.
The example of great and pure characters is the only thing that can produce
fine ideas and noble deeds.
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