Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Spurious)
The quotation is first recorded anonymously in 1921, but is not attributed to Edison until 1962. More discussion here: Opportunity Is Missed Because It Is Dressed in Overalls and Looks Like Work – Quote Investigator.
What you are will show in what you do.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Attributed)
Too many men drift lazily into any job, suited or unsuited for them; and when they don’t get along well they blame everybody and everything but themselves. Grouches are nearly always pinheads, small men who have never made any effort to improve their mental capacity.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
“They Won’t Think” (1921)
As a cure for worrying, work is better than whiskey.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Attributed)
Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results! I know several thousand things that won’t work.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Attributed)
(Source)
When told by an associate, Walter S. Mallory, that it was a shame that several months of work on new battery technology hadn't yielded any results. Recorded in Dyer and Martin, Edison: His Life and Inventions, Vol. 2, ch. 24 (1910) as an anecdote by Mallory.
More discussion about this quotation's origins and variants: I Have Gotten a Lot of Results! I Know Several Thousand Things That Won’t Work – Quote Investigator.
If we did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Attributed)
Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.
Thomas Edison (1847-1931) American inventor and businessman
(Attributed)
You know gang, when you’re a superhero, you never know where the day will take you. You may find yourself halfway around the world in the shark-infested waters of true-to-life living. Or you may find yourself going down to the store for a lozenge. You can’t know, can you? No! You gotta ride that wave, You gotta suck that lozenge! Cause if you don’t, who will?
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick
Everybody was a baby once, Arthur. Oh, sure, maybe not today, or even yesterday. But once! Babies, chum: tiny, dimpled, fleshy mirrors of our us-ness, that we parents hurl into the future, like leathery footballs of hope! And you’ve got to get a good spiral on that baby, or evil will make an interception!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick
INTERVIEWER: Can you destroy the Earth?
THE TICK: Egad, I hope not! That’s where I keep all my stuff!Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 1, “The Tick vs. The Idea Men” (1994)
Life is a big wild crazy tossed salad, but you don’t eat it, no sir! You live it! Isn’t it great?
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 6, “The Tick vs. El Seed” (1994)
I’m betting that I’m just abnormal enough to survive.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 5, “The Tick vs. The Breadmaster” (1994)
Arthur, I just had the strangest dream. I was taking some math test I hadn’t studied for … and then you tried to saw off my head. Weird, huh?
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 8, “The Tick vs. The Uncommon Cold” (1994)
Yes, evil comes in many forms, whether it be a man-eating cow or Joseph Stalin, but you can’t let the package hide the pudding! Evil is just plain bad! You don’t cotton to it. You gotta smack it in the nose with the rolled-up newspaper of goodness! Bad dog! Bad dog!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick
Destiny has her hand on my back, and she’s pushing!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 13, “The Tick vs. Arthur’s Bank Account” (1995)
I don’t know the meaning of the word surrender! I mean, I know it, I’m not dumb. Just not in this context.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 8, “The Tick vs. The Uncommon Cold” (1994)
Falling in love with a supervillain is Trouble with a capital Troub.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, “The Tick vs. the Ottoman Empire”
You’re not going crazy, you’re going sane in a crazy world!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 1, “The Tick vs. The Idea Men” (1994)
Isn’t sanity really just a one trick pony anyway? I mean all of you get is one trick, rational thinking, but when you’re good and crazy, oooh oooh oooh, the sky is the limit!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 22, “Ants in the Pants!” (1995)
Oh what a goofy work is man!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick
On justice and on friendship, there is no price, but there are established credit limits.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 13, “The Tick vs. Arthur’s Bank Account” (1995)
Destiny’s powerful hand has made the bed of my future and it’s up to me to lie in it. I am destined to be a superhero to right wrongs and pound two-fisted justice into the hearts of evil-doers everywhere. You don’t fight destiny, no sir! And you don’t eat crackers in the bed of your future or you get all … scratchy. Hey, I’m narrating here!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 1, “The Tick vs. The Idea Men” (1994)
Well, once again my friend, we find that science is a two-headed beast. One head is nice, it gives us aspirin and other modern conveniences … but the other head of science is bad! Oh beware the other head of science, Arthur, it bites!
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 3, “The Tick vs. Dinosaur Neil” (1994)
And so, may evil beware and may good dress warmly and eat lots of fresh vegetables.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick
It’s starting to smell a little like danger in here — or heavily fried food.
Ben Edlund (b. 1968) American cartoonist, writer, producer
The Tick, Ep. 12, “The Tick vs. Proto Clown” (1995)
Perhaps one of the only pieces of advice that I was ever given was that supplied by an old courtier who observed: Only two rules really count. Never miss an opportunity to relieve yourself; never miss a chance to sit down and rest your feet.
Edward VIII (1894-1972) King of England [Edward, Duke of Windsor]
A King’s Story (1951)
Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past.
Tryon Edwards (1809-1894) American theologian, writer, lexicographer
(Attributed)
He that never changes his opinions, never corrects his mistakes, will never be wiser on the morrow than he is today.
Tryon Edwards (1809-1894) American theologian, writer, lexicographer
(Attributed)
The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed. It was the experience of mystery — even if mixed with fear — that engendered religion. A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, our perceptions of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which only in their most primitive forms are accessible to our minds: it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute true religiosity. In this sense, and only this sense, I am a deeply religious man.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
The World As I See It, Title Essay (1931) (1949)
(Source)
The essay is also known as "Mein Weltbild" or "My Worldview." Alternate translation: "The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. He who knows it not and can no longer wonder, no longer feel amazement, is as good as dead, a snuffed-out candle. It was the experience of mystery -- even if mixed with fear -- that engendered religion. A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which are only accessible to our reason in their most elementary forms -- it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute the truly religious attitude; in this sense, and in this alone, I am a deeply religious man."
Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.
[Wenige sind imstande, von den Vorurteilen der Umgebung abweichende Meinungen gelassen auszusprechen; die Meisten sind sogar unfähig, überhaupt zu solchen Meinungen zu gelangen.]
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
“Neun Aphorismen” (23 May 1953), Essays Presented to Leo Baeck on the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday (1954) [Einstein Archives 28-962]
(Source)
People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
Letter to the family of Michele Besso after learning of his death (Mar. 1955)
Quoted in Science and the Search for God Disturbing the Universe (1979) by Freeman Dyson. Probable source of the common attribution: "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."
God does not care about our mathematical difficulties. He integrates empirically.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
(Attributed)
quoted in Quest by L. Infeld (1942)
A new type of thinking is essential if mankind is to survive and move toward higher levels.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
“Atomic Education Urged by Einstein,” New York Times (25 May 1946)
This may be the source of some otherwise unsourced Einstein quotes:Einstein revisited this theme in "The Real Problem Is in the Hearts of Men," New York Times Magazine (23 Jun 1946): "Many persons have inquired concerning a recent message of mine that 'a new type of thinking is essential if mankind is to survive and move toward higher levels.' [...] Past thinking and methods did not prevent world wars. Future thinking must prevent wars."
- "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them"
- "The world we have created today as a result of our thinking thus far has problems which cannot be solved by thinking the way we thought when we created them."
- "The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking."
- "This problem will not be solved by the same minds that created it."
- "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.
[Wer es unternimmt, auf dem Gebiet der Wahrheit und der Erkenntnis als Autoritat aufzutreten, scheitert am Gelachter der Gotter.]
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
“Neun Aphorismen” (23 May 1953), Essays Presented to Leo Baeck on the Occasion of His Eightieth Birthday (1954) [Einstein Archives 28-962]
(Source)
Original German. Alternate translation: "He who endeavors to present himself as an authority in matters of truth and cognition, will be wrecked by the laughter of the gods."
This subject brings me to that vilest offspring of the herd mind — the odious militia. The man who enjoys marching in line and file to the strains of music falls below my contempt; he received his great brain by mistake — the spinal cord would have been amply sufficient. This heroism at command, this senseless violence, this accursed bombast of patriotism — how intensely I despise them! War is low and despicable, and I had rather be smitten to shreds than participate in such doings.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
“What I Believe,” Forum and Century (Oct 1930)
(Source)
Einstein crafted and recrafted his credo multiple times in this period, and specifics are often muddled by differing translations and by his reuse of certain phrases in later writing. The Forum and Century entry appears to be the earliest. Some important variants:
This topic brings me to that worst outcrop of herd life, the military system, which I abhor. That a man cant take pleasure in marching in fours to the strains of a band is enough to make me despise him. He has only been given his big brain by mistake; unprotected spinal marrow was all he needed. This plague-spot of civilization ought to be abolished with all possible speed. Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism -- how passionately I hate them! How vile and despicable seems war to me! I would rather be hacked in pieces than take part in such an abominable business.
— "The World As I See It [Mein Weltbild] [tr. Bargmann (1954)]
This topic brings me to that worst outcrop of the herd nature, the military system, which I abjor. That a man can take pleasure in marching in formation to the strains of a band is enough to make me despise him. He has only been given his big brain by mistake; a backbone was all he needed. This plague-spot of civilization ought to be abolished with all possible speed. Heroism by order, senseless violence, and all the pestilent nonsense that does by the name of patriotism -- how I hate them! War seems to me a mean, contemptible thing: I would rather be hacked in pieces than take part in such an abominable business.
— "The World As I See It [Mein Weltbild] [tr. Harris (1934)]
I would rather be an optimist and a fool than be a pessimist and correct.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
(Attributed)
Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
Sign in Einstein’s Princeton office
It's not established this was original to Einstein. Sometimes quoted in reverse: "Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
A man’s ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hopes of reward after death.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
“Religion and Science,” New York Times Magazine (9 Nov 1930)
(Source)
Strange is our situation here upon the earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
(Attributed)
quoted from James A. Haught, ed., 2000 Years of Disbelief
Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
(Spurious)
Not found in Einstein's writings. There is no evidence of Einstein saying or writing anything like this. It's deemed probably not an Einstein quotation by Einstein scholar Alice Calaprice, The Expanded Quotable Einstein (2000).
Variants:
As Einstein has pointed out, common sense is actually nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind prior to the age of eighteen.
[Lincoln Barnett, "The Universe and Dr. Einstein, Part 2," Harper's Magazine (May 1948), reprinted in The Universe and Dr. Einstein (1950); Einstein wrote the foreword to the book.]
Common sense is that layer of prejudices which we acquire before we are sixteen.
[E. T. Bell, Mathematics, Queen and Servant of the Sciences (1951)]
More discussion of this quotation: Common Sense Is Nothing More Than a Deposit of Prejudices Laid Down in the Mind Before Age Eighteen – Quote Investigator.
Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
(Attributed)
Reader's Digest, Oct 1977
The most important human endeavor is striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depends on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to our lives.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
(Attributed)
I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
“What Life Means to Einstein,” Interview with G. Viereck, Saturday Evening Post (26 Oct 1929)
(Source)
Quoted as "I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world," in Viereck, Glimpses of the Great (1930).
Try not to become a success, but rather try to become a man of value.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
(Attributed)
Quoted by LIFE magazine (2 May 1955)
Insofar as statements of mathematics refer to reality, they are uncertain, and insofar as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.
[Insofern sich die Sätze der Mathematik auf die Wirklichkeit beziehen, sind sie nicht sicher, und insofern sie sicher sind, beziehen sie sich nicht auf die Wirklichkeit.]
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
“Geometry and Experience [Geometrie und Erfahrung],” lecture (27 Jan 1921)
(Source)
Sometimes given as "Insofar as the statements of geometry speak about reality, they are not certain, and in so far as they are certain, they do not speak about reality. [Sofern die Sätze der Geometrie streng gültig sind, beziehen sie sich nicht auf de Wirklichkeit; sofern sie sich auf dei Wirklichkeit beziehen, sind sie nicht streng gültig.]" -- this version was popularized by Karl Popper, but it was from a misquote by Morris Schlick.
I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
(Attributed)
Subtle is God, but malicious He is not.
[Raffiniert ist der Herr Gott, aber boshaft ist er nicht.]
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
Remark at Princeton University (Apr. 1921)
Later inscribed in Fine Hall, Princeton University. Quoted in Einstein, ch. 14, R.W. Clark (1973). Einstein in 1946 gave a looser translation: "God is slick, but he ain’t mean."
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
Memoirs of William Miller, quoted in Life (2 May 1955)
(Source)
The world is a dangerous place to live in, not because of the people that do evil; but because of the people that stand by and let them do it.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
(Attributed)
Perfection of means and confusion of ends seem to characterize our age.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
Out of My Later Years, ch. 14 (1950)
We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-American physicist
Out of My Later Years, ch. 51 (1950)
You don’t promote the cause of peace by talking only to people with whom you agree.
Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969) American general, US President (1953-61)
News conference (20 Jan 1957)
History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969) American general, US President (1953-61)
Inaugural Address (20 Jan 1953)
As quickly as you start spending federal money in large amounts, it looks like free money.
Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969) American general, US President (1953-61)
(Attributed)
Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin.
Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969) American general, US President (1953-61)
News conference, Washington (6-Feb-1957)