Intelligence makes clear to us the interrelationship of means and ends. But mere thinking cannot give us a sense of the ultimate and fundamental ends. To make clear these fundamental ends and valuations and to set them fast in the emotional life of the individual, seems to me precisely the most important function which religion has to form in the social life of man.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes that intelligence can clarify our goals but understanding deeper meanings and values requires religion.
Einstein suggests that while intelligence helps us understand how our actions relate to our goals, it cannot provide us with insights into our ultimate purposes in life. He argues that religion plays a crucial role in establishing profound values and meanings that influence our emotional lives, thereby shaping our social existence and guiding our actions beyond mere intellect.
In practice
In a lecture on the role of religion in modern society.
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.
That there are men in all countries who get their living by war, and by keeping up the quarrels of Nations is as shocking as it is true.
One must be deeply aware of the impermanence of the world.
Is there such thing as a cheerful pessimist? That's what I am.
The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.
In fact, if law were restricted to protecting all persons, all liberties, and all properties; if law were nothing more than the organized combination of the individual's right to self-defense; if law were the obstacle, the check, the punisher of all oppression and plunder - is it likely that we citizens would then argue much about the extent of the franchise?
What an absurd thing it is to pass over all the valuable parts of a man, and fix our attention on his infirmities.
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