The foundation of morality should not be made dependent on myth nor tied to any authority lest doubt about the myth or about the legitimacy of the authority imperil the foundation of sound judgment and action.
Interpretation
Morality should be based on reason rather than myths or authorities, as doubts about them can weaken our judgment.
In this quote, Albert Einstein emphasizes the importance of a rational foundation for morality, arguing that it should not rely on myths or authoritative figures. He warns that such dependencies could undermine our ability to make sound moral judgments and take appropriate actions, suggesting that moral judgement should be rooted in logic and critical thinking instead of superstition or blind obedience.
In practice
In a debate about ethical decision-making, I might cite Einstein's views on morality as a reminder to focus on rationality rather than tradition.
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.
Understand that the only possession of any value is life.
Every action done by nature is done in the shortest way.
People to whom sin is just a matter of words, to them salvation is just words too.
It's so graceless, being a martyr. It's honoring your adversaries too much.
He was never without misery, and never without hope.
Who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers. But I cannot say who will be the militia of the future day. If that paper on the table [the Constitution] gets no alteration, the militia of the future day may not consist of all classes, high and low, and rich and poor.
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