Me vs. Einstein

Recently, a letter of Albert Einstein’s was sold for US$ 1.5 million. He wrote it while travelling in Japan in 1922. He was short of money for a tip, so he wrote a letter containing some life advice, which could also be called tips. From the following article https://www.livescience.com/60771-einstein-happiness-letter-auctioned.html , here is part of what he wrote:

“A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.”

It goes without saying that I’m not as smart as Albert Einstein and I never will be. And, I’m not disagreeing with the advice, especially since I had alreay come to a similar conclusion years ago.

But, if I were to say it, would it be less true because I haven’t and won’t have the success he enjoyed? Can someone say to me “sour grapes” and be using the expression correctly? (Do a search for Aesop’s fable “The Fox and the Grapes” if you aren’t familiar with the expression.)

Or, perhaps it is Einstein who isn’t the reliable advisor here. By the time Einstein had written the letter, his place in history was already assured. When discussing the great people of science, such as Newton and Aristotle, you will have to mention to his name, too. So, if he is advising not to pursue success, does it hold much weight? I don’t think so.

Of course, it’s OK if you don’t agree with me — I’m no Einstein!

 

My Fake Einstein Quote

I’ve come across a lot of quotes attributed to Albert Einstein.  Many I’m sure are his, but some aren’t.  Einstein isn’t unique in this regard, this happens to other people, too.  Some are accidents, but others I believe are the result of people trying to spread a message and using someone famous to give their idea credibility.

With that in mind, I created the following non-serious Albert Einstein  image quote.  (By the way, he died years before the internet was created.)

Fake Einstein Quote

 

Graham Greene and Albert Einstein Through Yousuf Karsh

There are two excellent books that showcase the photos of legendary Canadian photgrapher Yousuf Karsh. Karsh was famous for his portraits and during the 20th century, the rich and famous flocked to sit in front of his camera. Karsh carefully studied his subjects before meeting them, so he was able to ask them some very intelligent and probing questions. Below are two quotes I like.

From the book “Karsh”:

Graham Greene

“Sometimes I wonder,” mused the creator of exalted adventure story, “how all those who do not write, compose or paint… can manage to escape the madness which is inherent in the human situation.”

From the book “Yousuf Karsh : Regarding Heroes”:

Albert Einstein

Knowing him to be an accomplished violinst, I [Karsh] turned the conversation, and asked if there were any connection between music and mathematics. “In art,” he said, “and in the higher ranges of science, there is a feeling of harmony which underlies all endeavour. There is no true greatness in art or science without that sense of harmony. He who lacks it can never be more than a great technician in either field.”