I learned many years ago never to waste time trying to convince my colleagues.

The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill.

I do not believe in immortality of the individual, and I consider ethics to be an exclusively human concern with no superhuman authority behind it.

When I'm judging a theory, I ask myself whether, if I were God, I would have arranged the world in such a way.

In conclusion I wish to say that in working at the problem here dealt with I have had the loyal assistance of my friend and colleague M. Besso, and that I am indebted to him for several valuable suggestions.

Man like every other animal is by nature indolent. If nothing spurs him on, then he will hardly think, and will behave from habit like an automaton.

I hate all the loathsome nonsense that goes with patriotism.