E-G Quotes

Albert Einstein
(1879-1955) physicist/creator of the theories of relativity/major contributor to quantum theory

"What really interests me is whether God had any choice in the creation of the world."

"The grand aim of all science is to cover the greatest number of empirical facts by logical deduction from the smallest number of hypotheses or axioms."

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age 18."

"Too many of us look upon Americans as dollar chasers. This is a cruel libel, even if it is reiterated thoughtlessly by the Americans themselves."

"Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity."

"I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own -- a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty. Neither can I believe that the individual survives the death of his body, although feeble souls harbor such thoughts through fear or ridiculous egotisms." obituary in New York Times, 19 April 1955

"It seems to me that the idea of a personal God is an anthropological concept which I cannot take seriously. I also cannot imagine some will or goal outside the human sphere... Science has been charged with undermining morality, but the charge is unjust. A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death."

"It was, of course, a lie that you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."

Ralph Waldo Emerson
(1803-1882) American philosopher and poet

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success."

Epicurus
(c.341-271 B.C.E.) Major philosopher during the Hellenistic period.

"Why should I fear death? If I am, death is not. If death is, I am not. Why should I fear that which can only exist when I do not?"

Benjamin Franklin
(1706-1790) American statesman, inventor, scientist, printer, musician, and philosopher. One of America's greatest thinkers of all time.

"The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason." Poor Richard, 1758

"The nearest I can make it out, 'Love your Enemies' means, 'Hate your Friends'." Poor Richard, 1758

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
(1869-1948) Indian philosopher and social activist

"Live simply so others may simply live."

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

Siddhartha Gautama
(c.563-c.483 B.C.E.) Indian philosopher/founder of Buddhism

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."