The Beauty of His Genius

I love Albert Einstein! Recently, I received a wonderful book entitled, The Quotable Einstein, embodying two of my favorite things-quotes and Albert-needless to say, I was ecstatic.

Einstein was coined a genius with his theory of relativity and Nobel Prize winning work. I believe his greatest gift was Albert just being Albert. The beauty of his genius, was  his remarkable ability to say in one sentence what others have taken chapters and books to convey. His timeless wisdom transcends every field and discipline.

My commentary below each quote relates to my work in teaching and learning. I invite and challenge you to take these timeless words and let them resonate with you as you reflect on the important work in your life.

Here are some of the quotes that have impacted my life and learning most:

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

There are only three pure colors: Red; Blue; Yellow. But look at how Michaelangelo imagined these colors into majesty. Imagination is the active ingredient of creativity and innovation. Yet, it is something we take away by forcing students to memorize and repeat rather than think and envision. The very atmosphere that should develop imagination actually stifles it, ultimately robbing learners of their unlimited intellectual potential. The supreme art of teaching should be to awaken and embrace students imaginative spirit.

"I sometimes ask myself how I came to develop the theory of relativity.  The reason is that the normal adult never stops to think and wonder."

We can learn so much from children. If adults could see the world through child like eyes; asking "why's and how comes" about all we encounter, oh how our lives and learning could be different. In our search for immediate solutions, and quick fixes, we miss the pleasure of the journey.

"Never regard your study as duty, but enviable opportunity to learn the liberating beauty of the intellect for your own personal joy and for the profit of the community to which your later work will belong."

Professional development has almost become a dirty word in education. It saddens me to see teachers who have themselves lost the personal joy and fulfillment that lifelong learning brings. If we are to create lifelong learners, it is critical that we model that behavior in all aspects of the educational community.

“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” 

We are teaching in the age of accountability. With increasing attention on standards, scores, ranks, and results, it is easy to obsess on what you can count, and disregard the rest. This paradox causes frustration and confusion in both teaching and learning. To be successful embodies more than grades or percentile ranks. Open mindedness, curiosity, creativity, persistence, may not scored but there is no question...they certainly count!

"It is better to know SOME of the questions rather than ALL the answers."

We have created generations of expert "question answerers", when the learner who asks the best question is more wise. I teach my students that successful learning is defined by the kinds of questions you ask, not the speed and accuracy in which you answer mine.

"The significant problems we face can not be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them. "

We are preparing students for a 21st century world with 20th century mindsets. Continuing to do what we have always done while expecting different results is the definition of insanity. New world, new economy, new opportunity requires NEW ways of doing business. Wouldn't you agree?

“Most people say that is it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character.”

Same for teaching and learning. It is not the mastery of content or the level of knowledge that makes a quality teacher. Students care more about who we are than what we know. Need I say more?

Isn't Einstein's genius beautiful? There are so many books on my shelf, but this one will remain one of my favorites; for insight, for guidance, for inspiration.

How 'bout you, who sits on your shelf? How do their words help you live your best life?

 

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I believe that learning is a lifelong journey. I conduct workshops and training sessions helping learners of all ages develop their skills in critical thinking, reading, and communication.
~ Angela Maiers
www.angelamaiers.com
~Opening up the World - One Learner at a Time~

Comments

[Rosa Say]

What a great posting Angela, thank you. Albert Einstein has been invading my awareness more and more over the last year or so: I am not sure how it all started, but the signs are becoming more and more frequent, telling me I need to pay more attention to what this great man is still teaching us today. What a legacy to hold up as an example of our own best possible future.

Several of your quotes here give me pause, and I think about the power of a great quotation in general, but to answer your question, I first think of M. Scott Peck, and how often I have reached for his book, Abounding Grace, An Anthology of Wisdom. Here is one quote I have returned to there a few times: Peck placed it in his book's chapter on Faith, under the sub-heading of Enthusiam ~

"It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them." ~ George Eliot

I often wonder why Eliot felt he had to say "thoroughly" alive, and what he meant at the time.

[Dean Boyer]

Angela,

I love what you wrote; it has made me think and ponder several things. As a fellow educator, I am thrilled to find another who believes and acts like you do. You are describing Teaching with Aloha beautifully! Mahalo nui!

[Greg Balanko-Dickson]

Excellent choice of Einstein quotes and personal observations. One of my favorite books is "Uncommon Friends" by Jim Newton. The subtitle is "Life with Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Alexis Carrel, & Charles Lindbergh

Amazing friends to have for sure. Henry Ford said "A business ought not to drift. It ought to march ahead under leadership. The easy way is to follow the crowd and hope to make money.But that's not the way of sound business. The way is to provide a service. Try to run a business to make money and the business will die."

[Steve Sherlock]

Angela, you have provided plenty of food for thought here. I especially like the quote “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Imagination lets is take knowledge to other places. Without imagination knowledge would stagnate.

[Derrick Kwa]

Great post. Love the quotes, and your takes on it as well.

I'll just add in one of my favorite Einstein quotes.

“He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.”

Kind of speaks for itself. The value of being your own person, and thinking through your actions - not just following the status quo. As you probably know, that's something I believe in a lot, and yeah. Just thought I'd share that quote. =).

[Angela Maiers]

You have all inspired me!

>Rosa and Greg, I am on my way to the book store today to pick up two new quote books for my shelf! Thank you both!

>Derrick, I consider myself and Einstein groupie, and this is a new quote I had not yet heard! WOW-it definitely speaks volumes. Do you know the context he used it in?

>Steve, the imagination is definitely one of my favorites as well. You are right on-without imagination, knowledge would be stagnant.

>Dean, the aloha spirit is alive and well in me. I have been working with the DOE in Hawaii for many years, and the teachers and students have forever made a mark in my heart! Mahalo!

[Joanna Young]

Angela, thanks for this recommendation. I have a penchant for great quotes too :-)

One of my Einstein favourites is this one - it fits with your commentary on wonder, and its transformative power

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is..."

Joanna

[Angela Maiers]

Joanna, another great one to add to the list! He really was a genius! Thanks for the comment!

[Tim Draayer]

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Isn't amazing and revealing to discover individuals like Einstein who cause us to pause and think for a moment?

I would have to agree with others that the above quote is one of my favorites, probably because it hits close to home. Its easy to place limitations on ourselves because we can't see possibilities based on existing knowledge.

[dave]

Angela - All of a sudden, I feel I suddenly know you better.

Al sits directly across the huge oak table from me inside of my cabin on the lake in Maine. He is a founding member of my imaginary counsel. (He's cool with me calling him Al). This could be one source of your awareness Rosa. On another spectrum of course.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Imagination is one of my core values and I got it directly from Al.

"The significant problems we face can not be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them. "

This saying sits upon my desk as it has for ten years. I am looking at it now. There has never been a sentence etched so deeply into my soul. This is my mantra, creed and the driving force behind my initial presence on the internet. It is why I belong to JJL. It is why I am alive.

Sorry guys, I got a little pukey deep here. But Angela fired an arrow with a suction cup on it and it landed directly on my forehead. I'm outta breath Angela!

[Angela Maiers]

>Tim, I believe you are so right. Imagination is often written off as child's play rather than necessary thought.Like you said, if we can not see possibilities, then none will exist. Great comment!

>Dave, breathe my friend! It is good to know that you have a deep relationship with AL as well. He is with me always in my work and in my life. I, too, feel your passion for learning and am so blessed to be a part of JJL! Mahalo to Rosa for that!