Which of these quotes are actually Einstein's (if any)?
score:10
Looking over the various discussions of these and other similar quotes, leads to the conclusion that Einstein probably did not say any of these, exactly. I have found no direct attribution to Einstein of any of these quotes of 'six-year olds','barmaids' or 'grandmas' is mentioned. Of course you cant prove something doesn't exist.
The closest, earliest article I find that these modern quotes seem to be based on is in the 1962 book New Perspectives in Physics, where the author states that Einstein, when discussing theories,
...ought to lend themselves to so simple a description "that even a child could understand..."
This seems the closest to most of the modern 'quotes'
That these quotes are all paraphrasing Einstein I do not,however, doubt. A couple of earlier sources show this attitude towards trying to express his theories, and science in general, in a simple manner.
---From the 1938 book,The Evolution of Physics , published by Leopold Infeld, Albert Einstein :
Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone.
---Another, earlier yet quote shows Einsteins concern with simplicity in science and his theory
... Its great value lies in the logical simplicity with which it explains apparently conflicting facts in the operation of natural law It provides a more simple method. Hitherto science has been burdened by many general assumptions of a complicated nature.
The above was published April 8, 1921 in an interview labeled "Prof. Einstein--The Poet in Science"
So, unless someone finds an actual, published quotation, my conclusion would be that these quotes are all modern paraphrasing of things Einstein did, at various times state. They just aren't his words.
More post
- 📝 What were Germany's long-term aims in World War I?
- 📝 What were the differences between the Waffen SS and the Wehrmacht in their role during the war?
- 📝 Why is Toledo not the capital of Spain anymore?
- 📝 Did American colonists object to the protections of Catholicism in the Quebec Act?
- 📝 19th century cabins: why were beds off the ground? Or weren't they?
- 📝 What was the composition of Medieval European armies?
- 📝 Printing - When did advertis*m*nts in colour became commonplace?
- 📝 In England, how many Jews died during the persecutions of the crusades during 1190-1200?
- 📝 Was there a state in history where influence of sport fans on politics was greater than in medieval Byzantine Empire?
- 📝 Help identify origin of a small clay statue
- 📝 How were Warrant Officers appointed to Royal Navy ships during the Age of Sail?
- 📝 Were bricks instead of bombs occasionally thrown out of war planes in WWI?
- 📝 Did Emperor Gaozu of Han allow people he conquered to keep their cultural identities?
- 📝 What was the name of Delhi during the period of Akbar ruling in parts of India?
- 📝 Why did the USA stop expanding westwards into East Asia?
- 📝 Why didn't China assist in the Vietnam War like they did in Korea?
- 📝 Did the Vikings use horses in battle?
- 📝 Why was the 1944 surrender of 20,000 Germans on the Western Front remarkable?
- 📝 Identifying the Soldier in this minature painting
- 📝 in what form did William the Conqueror write the date of his own coronation?
- 📝 Is there a correlation between the colonial power and the stability/success of the post colonial state?
- 📝 What are the dates of these panoramas of Paris?
- 📝 How were settlers' houses in Kamchatka built?
- 📝 How regularly did the Romans bathe?
- 📝 Are there realistic Ancient Egyptian artistic renderings of *flames*?
- 📝 Do Real Roman and Greek warriors have big muscles and six-pack abs like in the movie?
- 📝 Was there religious content on the post-war BBC World Service?
- 📝 How was the term "Mandate of Heaven" used during the rise and fall of Chinese dynasties?
- 📝 Were there any naval engagements during the Mongol invasions of Japan?
- 📝 What kind of siege weapons were used during Punic wars?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Which of these quotes are actually Einstein's (if any)?
- 📝 Are there any documented examples of wooden ships which were in active service for 100 years or more? If not, what is the longest?
- 📝 Are these Polish WWI or WW2 uniforms? And any idea on the shorter gentleman's military decoration (cross?) on left shoulder?
- 📝 Which military uniforms are shown in these photos?
- 📝 Are there any specific events which grants a soldier permission to execute a prisoner on sight? (Like in the movie: Fury)
- 📝 Are there any images from ancient times in which Heracles is shown with a cornucopia?
- 📝 Are there any old paintings (medieval period onwards) that actually depict the female genitalia rather than just leaving the pubic region empty?
- 📝 Are there any important biographies of nobodies?
- 📝 Which European Languages are not Indo-European?
- 📝 Are there any examples of technologies have been lost over time?
- 📝 Are there any accounts of everyday life during the Black Death?
- 📝 Are there any accounts written by torturers on their actions?
- 📝 Who are these red flag worshipers from these early maps?
- 📝 Is there any documentation that indicates the Aztecs were as violent as they are made out?
- 📝 What are these historical references (from a novel)?
- 📝 Are there any underground cities known except those found in Cappadocia?
- 📝 Which was the last major war in which horse mounted cavalry actually participated in active fighting?
- 📝 Are there any records that indicate a submarine vs submarine battle?
- 📝 Are there ancient historical sources which have been permanently lost?
- 📝 Was there ever any doubt which side the USA would join?
- 📝 Are there any medieval manuals relating to castle building?
- 📝 Are there any scientific estimates for the population of Mycenaean Greece?
- 📝 Who are these people in this satirical cartoon of the Congress of Verona?
- 📝 In 19th century India, pre and post Raj, did any private British citizens actually own land in India?
- 📝 Where on a modern map are these areas of Ptolemy's map?
- 📝 What uniform are these gentlemen wearing?
- 📝 Are there any writings by blinded and/or exiled Byzantine emperors?
- 📝 What size are these mosaics of Justinian and Theodora?
- 📝 Are there any existing foreign language teaching texts from the Ancient Near East?
- 📝 Are there any historians who believe that the crusades were not motivated as a distraction from internal conflicts?