Albert Einstein

I want to know how God created this world. I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts; the rest are details.

The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.

A human being is a part of a whole, called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.

I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.

The fear of death is the most unjustified of all fears, for there's no risk of accident for someone who's dead.

I believe in intuitions and inspirations. I sometimes feel that I am right. I do not know that I am.

I am a deeply religious nonbeliever. This is a somewhat new kind of religion.

I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

The state of mind which enables a man to do work of this kind... is akin to that of the religious worshipper or the lover.

I am against any form of violence, but I believe that the only way to achieve peace is through understanding.

It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.

My passion for social justice has often brought me into conflict with people, as has my aversion to all obligations and dependence.

The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.

My political ideal is democracy. Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized.

I am a solitary traveler, and though I love my fellow beings, I do not belong to them.

The greatest scientists are artists as well.