If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare me a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German, and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.

In my view, it is the most important function of art and science to awaken this feeling and keep it alive in those who are capable of it.

It is the theory which decides what we can observe

I must seem like an ostrich who forever burries its head in the relativistic sands in order not to face the evil quanta.

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.

Those who have an interest in keeping the machinery of war going will stop at nothing to make public opinion subservient to their murderous ends.

Thinking is to man what flying is to birds. Don’t follow the example of a chicken when you could be a lark.