The young man saw the door he had just opened. after it appears Albert Einstein His mustache frames a smile. It was November 1922 and one of the greatest geniuses in history was staying at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Einstein traveled to Japan for academic purposes, recently won the Nobel Prize in Physics, and was named one of the country’s celebrities. A Japanese postman came to his room to deliver a package. From that brief encounter, a “theory” emerged. It was not a new contribution to science, but it was still very useful to humanity. Einstein wrote the key to happiness in 13 words.
Albert Einstein in Japan late 1922. Meiji Sihanjo / Wikimedia.
Einstein Beyond Physics
Few minds can match the brilliance of Albert Einstein. His name is always associated with the qualifications of genius. No one can deny his contribution to science, especially in physics, and there are experts who claim that the scientific concept that we have in Western culture today is due to the German physicist. However, every great thinker ends up going beyond the subject in which he excelled. The author of the theory of relativity left us reflections between his notes, writings, and correspondence that allow us to delve deeper into his philosophy and way of understanding life. Documents are as valuable as their scholarly contributions that make it easy to discover the person behind a notable historical figure.
Above all, there is a global issue that concerns and worries us all: the achievement of happiness. Among the documents in which Albert Einstein referred to life and the keys to happiness, we can draw several lessons.
“If you want a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
From this point of view, Einstein understood happiness as a path, not as a destination. Daring to achieve your goals, not giving up, seeking knowledge and being generous towards others are the keys to happiness by Albert Einstein.
So the scientist considered it necessary Always maintain a curious attitude Through which we wonder why things are, which leads to learning and growth as a person. A good combination for this position is creativityBecause it allows finding solutions through imagination, much broader than limited knowledge. On this path it is imperative not to give up Facing failure as an experience acquired and an opportunity for improvement. All this with A modest life as a rulewhere you value simplicity and do not deposit your satisfaction in material things or the obsessive achievement of success.
How to achieve happiness in 13 words
Logically, a genius of Einstein’s stature is able to condense these ideas into a single sentence. This was what he did in two handwritten notes while staying at the hotel in Tokyo. When the young Japanese postman appeared at his door, Einstein wanted to give him a tip. We don’t know if the scientist didn’t have some coins at that time or it was the merchant who politely refused them, in any case, Einstein somehow “paid” him. The tip consists of two observations on which Albert Einstein formulated his “Theory of Happiness”. One had the hotel’s logo imprinted on it and Einstein wrote 13 words in German: “Stilles bescheidenes Leben gibt mehr Glueck als erfolgreiches Streben, verbunden mit bestaendiger Unruhe”. Which can be translated as follows:
“A modest and quiet life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success and the constant anxiety that entails.”
He handed the young Einstein a second note, also signed, in which he wrote:
“Where there is a will, there is a way.”
A handwritten note from Albert Einstein received by the delivery guy at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. 1922. Winner of Auctions
Some lessons fell on deaf ears
The notes were carefully preserved by the young Japanese who acquired them from the brand new Nobel Laureate in Physics and have remained in good hands until recent times. Paradoxically, though, Einstein’s keys to achieving happiness away from the physical, The banknotes were auctioned for $1.5 million.
In 2017, the Jerusalem auction house Winner’s Auctions sold the two documents, and they were sold by a relative of the courier who delivered the parcel to Einstein. Bidding started at $2,000, and they estimated the item would go for $8,000, but the figure came out to $1,586,000.
Einstein’s teachings transcend any time and cultural boundaries. In fact, they may be even more important in our current age, when a significant segment of society is obsessed with them You find happiness instantly Thus, they base their goals on superficial successes and material acquisitions. Contrary to Albert Einstein’s “Theory of Happiness”.
References:
- Archives of Albert Einstein. Electronic publication of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. albert-einstein.huji.ac.il.
- Einstein, A.; 1995. My World View. tusks.
- Einstein, A.; 2009. Einstein’s Cosmic Religion and Other Opinions and Proverbs. Dover.
“Beeraholic. Friend of animals everywhere. Evil web scholar. Zombie maven.”