Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955), the great German physicist, was also a very wise man. Today I found a quote that made me shiver (rough translation by me)
"I am not sure with which weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with stones and sticks".
He also said:
"Two things are infinite (endless), the universe and human stupidity, but about the universe I am still not quite sure."
To cheer us up he said:
"A clever person solves a problem. A sage man avoids it."
Suitable to your convictions please hope or pray for that!
PS: The photo I took in Zoutelande, the Netherlands
He also said that compound interest was the 8th wonder of the world, the most powerful force in the universe.
ReplyDeleteReally? I didn't know that one, Tasker - I only know "Three big forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed".
DeleteThat first quote is profound, but unlike Einstein, we know how WW III will be fought. Evolution may possible begin again with sticks & stones.
ReplyDeleteAll his life he was a convinced pacifist, yet his formula E=mc2 helped to build the atom-bomb.
DeleteI understood the first quote that way that he foretells Stone-age after an atom-bomb used in World War IV, but is still hopeful that mankind is not as dumb as to use atom weapons in a Third Wold War.
He said "I'd rather be an optimist and a fool than a pessimist and right."
The first quote is indeed chilling. The net two are full of truth too.
ReplyDeleteI hope, Mimmylynn, that everyone who has the power to press the red button (and there are a few) has the brain to protect at least himself and his relatives, because an atomic war will hurt everyone on earth - I really hope that brains are stronger than the ego.
ReplyDeleteMy son turned 50 yesterday and that was the very first time EVER that I apologised for leaving him a crappy world.
ReplyDeleteDear Helen, I understand your feelings and share them partly. "There is no right life in the wrong one" wrote our famous philosopher Theodor W. Adorno in 1951 - yet I would debate that too. I feel guilty when I see what mankind did to nature - thus I will apologise too - but as a person I do not feel guilty: I led a modest life, and always tried not to be greedy. I could have protested more - or even fight - but then the life of my son would not have been better during that time - the life of my grandchildren maybe.
DeleteYou are so well versed in history, Helen: do you believe that we (you and I as a real persons) could have stopped this insanity?
The world needs another Einstein and I do not see anyone that even comes close. That said, I am cautiously optimistic. Hope is eternal.
ReplyDeleteI love that, Susan: "a cautiously optimist". Optimism in my opinion is not wearing pink coloured spectacles, but the inner decision to believe that mankind is deep down good. I believe that most people are good - though weak, and following Einstein: some are a bit lazy to use their intelligence, they often fall for charismatic leaders (when the rest of the world blinks their eyes in disbelief - how can they follow that person? Why?) While there's life, there's hope. Or, more poetic, with Emily Dickinson: "Hope" is that thing with feathers. "
ReplyDelete