10 things to learn from Albert Einstein

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The wisdom of a genius that everyone can apply in life.

1. Direct your energies towards learning what is really interesting

It is generally accepted that Einstein was a poor student at school. He really was when he lived in Germany, but according to the German grading system, one was then the highest score.

Albert finished his graduation class in Switzerland, where the standard six-point system was used. Einstein's certificate has survived to our times, and his grades indicate that he studied well. His grade point average was five.

Albert knew exact sciences perfectly, but languages and drawing were given to him poorly. It is also known that he did not enter the Swiss Higher Technical School of Zurich the first time. This is true, but it was only his botanical and French grades that let him down. But he passed the exam in mathematics so brilliantly that the director of this institute personally gave him recommendations for further admission.

2. Question everything

Einstein did not recognize authorities based on social status since school. Albert was a believer until the age of 12, but then became carried away by popular science books and began to question both religion and any foundations of society. He hated to blindly obey the rules and cram subjects that were not interesting to him.

He compared teachers to the military and hated the militaristic approach that reigned in everything at that time. Einstein did nothing wrong, but his stubbornness and rebellious spirit undermined the authority of teachers. Until the end of his life, he remained a skeptic and questioned any theories and authorities that seemed unconvincing to him.

It is people who cause me seasickness, not the sea. But I'm afraid science has not yet found a cure for this ailment.

Albert Einstein

3. Read a lot

Einstein loved books since childhood. While still a schoolboy, he read Euclid's Beginning and Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. These works greatly influenced his perception of life.

At university, Albert skipped uninteresting lectures, and instead studied scientific research journals. His interests were not limited to physics and mathematics: he was fond of psychology, read classics and even esotericism.

Here are some of his favorite books: "Don Quixote" by Cervantes, "Treatise on Human Nature" by Hume, "Isis Unveiled" by Blavatsky, "The Brothers Karamazov" by Dostoevsky. Loved Albert and the entertainment genre. For example, he adored the humorous stories of the columnist Kovner and always looked forward to their publication in the newspaper.

4. Admit your mistakes

Einstein was not afraid of mistakes: in them he saw steps on the path to truth. If he was wrong about the work of others, it was easy for him to apologize publicly. He once criticized an article on the expansion of the Universe by Russian mathematician Alexander Fridman. Later, Einstein realized that he was wrong and wrote an article of apology.

At the same time, Einstein's model of the Universe underwent significant changes, which played an important role for science.

In this, the scientist was absolutely right: if you want to know the truth, your personal ambitions need to be relegated to the background.

5. Believe in yourself

The scientist understood well how talented he was and had adequate self-esteem. He worked hard and was confident in his own success. When he divorced his first wife, he promised to pay her a certain amount of money after receiving the Nobel Prize in the future. Three years later, he did receive a "Nobel Prize", although not in the area in which he planned. As promised, he gave part of the amount (32 thousand dollars) to his ex-wife.

6. Help others

Albert Einstein was a renowned philanthropist. Already being famous, he sold his autographs, and gave the proceeds to donations.

Also, the scientist played the violin well and occasionally performed at concerts, including charity ones. The most famous is a charity concert in favor of emigrants from Nazi Germany. At that time he played truly masterly, and the rumor about his performance went on for a long time.

7. Enjoy life

Einstein loved to joke and ignored trouble. All relatives and colleagues of the scientist noted his optimism and love of life. Most of Einstein's quotes shine with irony and a wonderful sense of humor. The most famous photograph of the scientist - the one where he with his tongue sticking out, is also one of his spontaneous pranks. So he "smiled" at the camera to one of the famous photographers at a party.

When you are courting a beautiful girl, an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a hot stove, a second feels like an hour. This is relativity.

Albert Einstein

8. Wish for world peace

Einstein actively opposed Nazism, war and any suppression of personal freedom. He once said that even if 2% of young people in the United States refuse to serve in the army, the government will not be able to do anything about it, since the prisons will simply overflow. These words contributed to the flourishing of the antiwar movement in America. Adherents of this idea wore badges with the inscription "2%" until the 70s.

And the biggest mistake of his life, Einstein considered his involvement in the creation of a nuclear bomb: he regretted this until the end of his days.

9. Be humble

Einstein was humble both in everyday life and in society. The great scientist was one of the first harbingers of minimalism in clothing. He did this, of course, not for the sake of fashion, but in the name of convenience. His wardrobe lacked unnecessary accessories such as ties, scarves and even socks. Yes, he didn't wear socks!

Everything unnecessary, interfering with work, was alien to him. The scientist did not need a special office either. When asked where his laboratory was, he showed a fountain pen with a smile.

Strive not to achieve success, but to ensure that your life has meaning.

Albert Einstein

10. Develop imagination

The great scientist greatly appreciated imagination and an unconventional approach to any problem. Once in Japan, he had no money to tip a courier, and instead, Einstein wrote him a recipe for happiness. At that moment, Albert already knew that he would soon receive the Nobel Prize, and probably believed that the courier would later be able to sell this note.

This note was actually sold just a year ago, in 2017, by the courier's nephew for $ 1.56 million. Here's what it said:

A calm and humble life will bring more happiness than the pursuit of success and the constant worry that comes with it.

Albert Einstein