One thing I have learned in a long life: that all our science, measured against reality, is primitive and childlike—and yet it is the most precious thing we have.

About Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein (14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist best known for developing the theory of relativity. Einstein also made important contributions to quantum theory. His mass–energy equivalence formula E = mc2, which arises from special relativity, has been called "the world's most famous equation"....

More quotations from Albert Einstein

Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.

—Albert Einstein

If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor.

—Albert Einstein

Truth is what stands the test of experience.

—Albert Einstein

Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.

—Albert Einstein

A person starts to live when he can live outside himself.

—Albert Einstein

More quotations tagged with “science”

If an elderly but distinguished scientist says that something is possible, he is almost certainly right; but if he says that it is impossible, he is very probably wrong.

—Arthur C. Clarke

learning knowledge certainty science doubt

We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry.

—Maria Mitchell

beauty imagination poetry science mathematics logic

The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage.

—Mark Russell

humor science saturn

Whatever the scientists may say, if we take the supernatural out of life, we leave only the unnatural.

—Amelia Barr

science supernatural

In the Middle Ages people believed that the earth was flat, for which they had at least the evidence of their senses: we believe it to be round, not because as many as 1 percent of us could give the physical reasons for so quaint a belief, but because modern science has convinced us that nothing that is obvious is true, and that everything that is magical, improbable, extraordinary, gigantic, microscopic, heartless, or outrageous is scientific.

—George Bernard Shaw

reality science evidence

History

21 Jul 2013 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

One thing I have learned in a long life: that all our science, measured against reality, is primitive and childlike — and yet it is the most precious thing we have.