Quotes — Society and the World

Albert Einstein

The only justifiable purpose of political institutions is to assure the unhindered development of the individual… That is why I consider myself to be particularly fortunate to be an American.

Einstein became an American citizen in 1940. When Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany in 1933, Einstein was visiting America, and he decided to stay for good.

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Albert Einstein

In the case of political, and even of religious, leaders, it is often very doubtful whether they have done more good or harm.

This quote is from the book The World As I See It , under the section Good and Evil.

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Albert Einstein

In the case of political, and even of religious, leaders, it is often very doubtful whether they have done more good or harm.

This quote is from the book The World As I See It , under the section Good and Evil.

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Albert Einstein

Freedom, in any case, is only possible by constantly struggling for it. A citizenry that is politically indifferent will always end up enslaved no matter what form its constitution and legal institutions take.

Here Einstein makes the case that unchecked power and authority always will move to strengthen itself with more power and authority, whether it exists inside a democracy or not.

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Albert Einstein

Freedom, in any case, is only possible by constantly struggling for it. A citizenry that is politically indifferent will always end up enslaved no matter what form its constitution and legal institutions take.

Here Einstein makes the case that unchecked power and authority always will move to strengthen itself with more power and authority, whether it exists inside a democracy or not.

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Albert Einstein

The conscientious objector is a revolutionary. In deciding to disobey the law he sacrifices his personal interests to the most important cause of working for the betterment of society.

Einstein advocated refusing military service, as well as other disobedience, on moral grounds.

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Albert Einstein

Nationalism is, in my opinion, nothing more than an idealistic rationalization for militarism and aggression.

By October 1933, when Einstein gave a speech in London’s Royal Albert Hall including this quote, he was already an exile from Hitler’s Germany, where nationalism was almost like the national religion.

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Albert Einstein

Nationalism is, in my opinion, nothing more than an idealistic rationalization for militarism and aggression.

By October 1933, when Einstein gave a speech in London’s Royal Albert Hall including this quote, he was already an exile from Hitler’s Germany, where nationalism was almost like the national religion.

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Albert Einstein

As long as I have any choice, I will stay only in a country where political liberty, toleration, and equality of all citizens before the law are the rule.

In 1933, Einstein was visiting the United States when Adolf Hitler took power in Germany. Einstein never returned to his old home.

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Albert Einstein

As long as I have any choice, I will stay only in a country where political liberty, toleration, and equality of all citizens before the law are the rule.

In 1933, Einstein was visiting the United States when Adolf Hitler took power in Germany. Einstein never returned to his old home.

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Albert Einstein

As long as I have any choice, I will stay only in a country where political liberty, toleration, and equality of all citizens before the law are the rule.

In 1933, Einstein was visiting the United States when Adolf Hitler took power in Germany. Einstein never returned to his old home.

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Albert Einstein

The State exists for man, not man for the State… I believe that the most important mission of the State is to protect the individual and make it possible for him to develop into a creative personality. The State should be our servant; we should not be slaves of the State. The State violates this precept when it forces us to perform military service.

This comes from a 1931 article in the New York Times Magazine called “The Road to Peace.”

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Albert Einstein

The State exists for man, not man for the State… I believe that the most important mission of the State is to protect the individual and make it possible for him to develop into a creative personality. The State should be our servant; we should not be slaves of the State. The State violates this precept when it forces us to perform military service.

This comes from a 1931 article in the New York Times Magazine called “The Road to Peace.”

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Albert Einstein

The State exists for man, not man for the State… I believe that the most important mission of the State is to protect the individual and make it possible for him to develop into a creative personality. The State should be our servant; we should not be slaves of the State. The State violates this precept when it forces us to perform military service.

This comes from a 1931 article in the New York Times Magazine called “The Road to Peace.”

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Albert Einstein

Individual freedom provides a better basis for productive labor than any form of tyranny.

When Einstein visited the United States in 1930, his arrival in the port of New York was a big deal. This quote comes from a broadcast with Einstein after he deboarded his ship.

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Albert Einstein

Individual freedom provides a better basis for productive labor than any form of tyranny.

When Einstein visited the United States in 1930, his arrival in the port of New York was a big deal. This quote comes from a broadcast with Einstein after he deboarded his ship.

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Albert Einstein

If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.

Einstein addressed the French Philosophical Society in 1922 and included this quote. It’s an example of his negative feelings on Nationalism, which he believed manipulated people into false pride.

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Albert Einstein

If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.

Einstein addressed the French Philosophical Society in 1922 and included this quote. It’s an example of his negative feelings on Nationalism, which he believed manipulated people into false pride.

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Albert Einstein

To punish me for my contempt of authority, Fate has made me an authority myself.

Spoken to a friend in 1930. Einstein always looked upon authority suspiciously, and probably wished all of those who sought his knowledge and opinions would do the same with him.

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Albert Einstein

To punish me for my contempt of authority, Fate has made me an authority myself.

Spoken to a friend in 1930. Einstein always looked upon authority suspiciously, and probably wished all of those who sought his knowledge and opinions would do the same with him.

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Albert Einstein

If one purges all subsequent additions from the original teachings of the Prophets and Christianity, especially those of the priests, one is left with a doctrine that is capable of curing all the social ills of humankind.

This 1933 statement comes from the Jewish publication Renasterea Noastra, of Romania.

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Albert Einstein

Blind obedience to authority is the greatest enemy of the truth.

Einstein said this to one of his teachers in 1901. He was talking about a professor who he considered closed-minded, but the statement holds true of Einstein’s feelings on all types of authority figures throughout his life.

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Albert Einstein

I believe in Spinoza’s God, Who reveals Himself in the lawful harmony of the world, not in a God who concerns himself with the fate and the doings of mankind.

This was part of an answer to Rabbi Herbert S. Goldstein in 1929. Spinoza’s believed that God was inseparable from the material world, and so to become closer to God, a person should better understand the workings of the Universe. Elsewhere, Einstein stated explicitly that he was not an atheist.

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Albert Einstein

The word “Jewish” has two meanings: It has to do with (1) nationality and descent; (2) religion. I am a Jew in the first sense but not in the second.

When Einstein addressed Berlin’s Jewish Community in 1921, this was part of his message. He didn’t believe in the religion of Judaism, yet he identified as a Jew.

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