Quote Of The Day By Albert Einstein: 'Everyone Followed Him Gladly, For They Felt That He Never Set Out To...'

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Albert Einstein is regarded as one of the greatest minds to ever live, so it's no surprise that he has tons of inspirational quotes to live by. Best known for developing the theory of relativity and the famous formula E = mc², Einstein is one of the most influential physicists of all time, but his impact on the world spans far beyond just the field of science. Born in Germany in 1879, Einstein attended college in Switzerland, receiving his doctoral degree in physics from the University of Zurich in 1905. He went on to work as a professor in Zurich, then Berlin, where he produced most of his most pioneering works, and in 1922, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

By 1933, Einstein had renounced his German citizenship and fled Berlin as the Nazi party rose to power. He and his second wife, Elsa Einstein, immigrated to the U.S., where Einstein took a job at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. He ultimately became a U.S. citizen in 1940, and retired in 1945. Einstein died in 1955, leaving behind a legacy of his famous scientific works, as well as a number of musings on Zionism, war, philosophy, and lots more.

Not only is Einsten considered a genius in the field of physics, but he also led an admirable personal life, often using his fame to help make the world a better place. Along with his groundbreaking scientific discoveries, the Nobel Prize winner had plenty of wisdom to share about what it means to be a good and moral person, which is why Einstein provided us with today's quote of the day.

Albert Einstein said: "Everyone followed him gladly, for they felt that he never set out to dominate but always simply to be of use." The renowned physicist uttered these words while speaking at the gravesite of Dutch physicist Hendrik Lorentz in 1928. Lorentz also won the Nobel Prize in Physics, in 1902, alongside Pieter Zeeman, for the discovery and theoretical explanation of the Zeeman Effect. Much of his work served as foundational material for Einstein's own research in the field. His full address at Lorentz's grave was published in Einstein's famous 1934 collection of essays and speeches entitled, "The World as I See It." It also appeared in "Ideas and Opinions," published in 1954. In the scientist's eulogy, he not only referred to Lorentz as the "greatest and noblest man of our times," but he further praised his fellow physicist for his "never-failing kindness and magnanimity." 

When Albert Einstein shared these words, he verbalized what it means to be an altruistic leader — essentially, someone looking for ways to make the world a better place without chasing personal reward. Not only was he praising a man for being a leader in his field and a pioneer of groundbreaking research, but the Nobel Prize winner was also expressing admiration for someone who used their genius and their talents to help others, rather than to gain power or dominance. Einstein lived out this sentiment frequently during his life, as he often used his platform to speak out against totalitarian leaders like Adolf Hitler and leveraged his position in the U.S. to help hundreds of Jews escape the Nazi regime. 

To live by Einstein's words today would mean letting go of the hunger for power, clout, or even personal wealth, and instead focusing your efforts towards being a kind, helpful person who uses their talents for good. You could even apply the renowned scientist's message when it comes time to vote for your elected officials, which could mean carefully choosing to support those who aren't power-hungry, but rather who are passionate about improving the lives of as many people as possible with their policies.

• "I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university."

• "I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."

• "The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking."

• "Life is a preparation for the future; and the best preparation for the future is to live as if there were none."

• "The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."