A looked at from a simple human point of view, moral conduct does not mean merely a stern demand to renounce some of the desired joys of life, but rather a social interest in a happier lot for all men.
I feel myself so much a part of everything living I am not in the least concerned with the beginning or ending of the concrete existence of any one person in this eternal flow.
I cannot conceive of a personal God who would directly influence the actions of individuals, or would directly sit in judgment on creatures of his own creation. I cannot do this in spite of the fact that mechanistic causality has, to a certain extent, been placed in doubt by modern science. My religiosity consists in a humble admiration of the infinitely superior spirit that reveals itself in the little that we, with our weak and transitory understanding, can comprehend of reality. Morality is of the highest importance - but for us, not for God.
The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained to liberation from the self.
Of what is significant in one's own existence one is hardly aware, and it's certainly should not bother the other fellow. What does a fish know about the water in which he swims all his life?
The life of the individual has meaning only insofar as at it aids in making the life of every living thing nobler and more beautiful. Life is sacred, that is to say it is the supreme value, to which all other values are subordinate.
What is the meaning of human life, or of organic life altogether?... I answer, the man who regards his own life and out of his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unfortunate but almost disqualified for life.
The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life. To make this a living force and bring it to clear consciousness is perhaps the foremost task of education. The foundation of morality should not be made dependent on myth nor tied to any authority less doubt about the myth or about the legitimacy of the authority imperil the foundation of sound judgment and action.
Religiosity consists of a humble admiration of the infinitely superior spirit that reveals itself in the slight details we are able to perceive of the knowable world with our frail and feeble minds. That deeply emotional conviction of the presence of the superior reasoning power, which is revealed in the comprehensible universe, forms my idea of God.
But let us not forget that knowledge and skills alone cannot lead humanity to a happy and dignified life. Humanity has every reason to place the proclaimers of high moral standards and values above the discoverers of objective truth. What humanity owes to personalities like Buddha, Moses, and Jesus ranks for me higher than all the achievements of the acquiring and constructive mind. What these blessed man have given us we must guard and try and keep alive with all our strength if humanity is not to lose its dignity, the security of its existence, and its joys in living.
Quotes taken from the book "The philosophy of Albert Einstein writings on art, science, and peace". For more great quotes see this book.
