People should be more like animals . . . they should be more intuitive; they should not be too conscious of what they do while they do it.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that humans could benefit from being more instinctive and less self-conscious in their actions.
Einstein emphasizes the value of intuition and natural behavior, comparing it to the way animals operate. He argues that human consciousness can sometimes hinder genuine action and creativity, suggesting that a more instinctual approach might lead to a more authentic and fulfilling way of living.
In practice
In a speech about creativity, one might quote this to encourage instinctive artistic expression.
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.
Perhaps a child who is fussed over gets a feeling of destiny; he thinks he is the world for something important, and it gives him drive and confidence.
The first duty of a man is to think for himself
At some point in life the world's beauty becomes enough. You don't need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough. No record of it needs to be kept and you don't need someone to share it with or tell it to. When that happens β that letting go β you let go because you can.
We suffer much agony because we try to get from people what only God can give us, which is a sense of worth and value. Look to God for what you need, not to people.
Choose what to believe. He wanted the truth. Why was everybody so determined that he should not get it.
What can we put into the hands of people under oppressive regimes to help them? For me, a big part of it is information, knowledge - the ability to defeat propaganda by understanding it.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.