Memorable

God gave me the stubbornness of a mule and a fairly keen scent.

I am also convinced that one gains the purest joy from spirited things only when they are not tied in with earning one’s livelihood.

I am content in my later years. I have kept my good humor and take neither myself nor the next person seriously.

I think we have to safeguard ourselves against people who are a menace to others, quite apart from what may have motivated their deeds.

In one’s youth every person and every event appear to be unique. With age one becomes much more aware that similar events recur. Later on, one is less often delighted or surprised, but also less disappointed than in earlier years.

It is abhorrent to me when a fine intelligence is paired with an unsavory character.

It is important to foster individuality, for only the individual can produce the new ideas.

It is not so important where one settles down. The best thing is to follow your instincts without too much reflection.

It would be better if you began to teach others only after you yourself have learned something.

Mozart’s music is so pure and beautiful that I see it as a reflection of the inner beauty of the universe.

Mysticism is in fact the only criticism people cannot level against my theory.

One should not pursue goals that are easily achieved. One must develop an instinct for what one can just barely achieve through one’s greatest efforts.

Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us; our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.

Science is a wonderful thing if one does not have to earn one’s living at it. One should earn one’s living by work of which one is sure one is capable. Only when we do not have to be accountable to anybody can we find joy in scientific endeavor.

Strange is our situation here on earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose.

The aim (of education) must be the training of independently acting and thinking individuals who, however, see in the service to the community their highest life problem.

The most precious things in life are not those you get for money.

The scientific theorist is not to be envied. For Nature, or more precisely experiment, is an exorable and not very friendly judge of his work. It never says “yes” to a theory. In the most favorable cases it says “Maybe,” and in the great majority of cases simply “No.” If an experiment agrees with a theory it means for the latter “Maybe,” and if it does not agree it means “No.” Probably every theory will some day experience its “No” - most theories, soon after conception.

The value of achievement lies in the achieving.

True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist.

We must recognize what in our accepted tradition is damaging to our fate and dignity-and shape our lives accordingly.

Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.

With fame I become more and more stupid, which of course is a very common phenomenon.

Work is the only thing that gives substance to life.