becoming a man of value
from “Life” Maganize interview, only few months before his death,
… just as Einstein’s ground-breaking scientific conclusions were unconventional, so were his philosophical concepts. In politics he took sides that were unpopular with Americans.
on nationalism:
“The problem is one of human survival. If the nations do not agree on basic principles first, all our treaties and armaments are for nothing. There is no security for one if not for all; security is indivisible. Only a supranational government, including all nations, can save us.”
on values:
“I believe in the brotherhood of man and the uniqueness of the individual. But if you ask me to prove what I believe, I can’t. You know them to be true but you could spend a whole lifetime without being able to prove them. The mind can proceed only so far upon what it knows and can prove. There comes a point where the mind takes a leap—call it intuition or what you will—and comes out upon a higher plane of knowledge, but can never prove how it got there. All great discoveries have involved such a leap … One is always seeing things without being sure that one does see them. Truth is a verbal concept, which cannot be submitted to mathematical proof … do not stop to think about the reasons for what you are doing, about why you are questioning. The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvellous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day. Never lose a holy curiosity. Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. He is considered successful in our day who gets more out of life than he puts in. But a man of value will give more than he receives.”
on “Cosmic spirituality”:
“I do not believe in the God of theology who rewards good and punishes evil, … the presence of superior reasoning power … revealed in the incomprehensible universe, forms my idea of God.” “You are in full liberty to call any power you believe in God. But if you say this, what are you telling me? I cannot accept any concept of God based on the fear of life or the fear of death, or blind faith. I cannot prove to you that there is no personal God, but if I were to speak of him I would be a liar.”