When I was a fairly precocious young man I became thoroughly impressed with the futility of the hopes and strivings that chase most men restlessly through life. Moreover, I soon discovered the cruelty of that chase, which in those years was much more carefully covered up by hypocrisy and glittering words than is the case today. By the mere existence of his stomach everyone was condemned to participate in that chase. The stomach might well be satisfied by such participation, but not man insofar as he is a thinking and feeling being.

One should not pursue goals that are easily achieved. One must develop an instinct for what one can just barely achieve through one’s greatest efforts.

Relativity is a purely scientific matter and has nothing to do with religion.

Each of us visits this Earth involuntarily, and without an invitation. For me, it is enough to wonder at the secrets.

Consider the concepts referred to in the words 'where', 'when', 'why', 'being', to the elucidation of which innumerable volumes of philosophy have been devoted. We fare no better in our speculations than a fish which should strive to become clear as to what is water.

In their struggle for the ethical good, teachers of religion must have the stature to give up the doctrine of a personal god.

Mozart's music is so pure and beautiful that I see it as a reflection of the inner beauty of the universe.