To invent something, all you need is imagination and a big pile of junk.

Most people go on living their everyday life: half-frightened, half indifferent, they behold the ghostly tragic-comedy that is being performed on the international stage before the eyes and ears of the world.

A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem.

One should never impose one's views on a problem; one should rather study it, and in time a solution will reveal itself.

Success = 1 part work + 1 part play + 1 part keep your mouth shut

School failed me, and I failed the school. It bored me. The teachers behaved like Feldwebel (sergeants). I wanted to learn what I wanted to know, but they wanted me to learn for the exam. What I hated most was the competitive system there, and especially sports. Because of this, I wasn't worth anything, and several times they suggested I leave.

My interest in science was always essentially limited to the study of principles.... That I have published so little is due to this same circumstance, as the great need to grasp principles has caused me to spend most of my time on fruitless pursuits.