“Do not try to become a man of success, but rather a man of value”

In the history of humanity (and it is not short) few people have achieved a recognition levelprestige and admiration comparable to that of Albert Einstein. His last name has in fact become a universal synonym for brilliance. When someone stands out for his intellect we call him “Einstein”, just as we refer to sharp minds as “sherlocks” or the more attractive people like “Apolos”.

However, despite this universal fame, the German physicist had a very clear vision about what a man should pursue in his life if he wants to feel fulfilled. For him the secret of happiness is not so much in “success”, money and applause as in becoming a person of value.

Going back to 1955

The world said goodbye to Albert Einstein on April 18, 1955, when an aneurysm ended his life in Princeton, USA. He was just 76 years old, a Nobel Prize in Physics and unanimous recognition for having revolutionized our understanding of the universe with his theories.

Shortly before he died, chance would have it that Einstein received a visit at his home in New Jersey from a peculiar group of people interested in chatting with him about something quite different from the theories of relativity or the curvature of light. What his guests wanted to talk about was meaning of life.

The delegation in question was made up William Hermannspoet and personal friend of Einstein; the editor of Life MagazineWilliam Miller, and the latter’s son, ‘Pat’, a young man who was beginning his university studies at Harvard.

As I would later explain in the article As Miller wrote about that meeting, Pat was an admirer of the German physicist and a science enthusiast, but for some time he had been “stuck in a kind of philosophical nihilism” that threatened to ruin his career.

“He wondered what was the point of human effort if the universe was dying,” Miller says in his chronicle, published in May 1955.

The goal of the editor life It seems that it was not so much about getting explosive statements from Einstein for a report (in fact, Miller himself recognize that were planted in your house without warning) as offering some “inspiration” to your son.

The idea must not have displeased Einstein, who spent the next few minutes chatting with the group about issues as diverse as science, religion or politics, although the conversation gradually drifted towards philosophy.

—Does experience give us the truth? —asked Pat Einstein.

—It is a difficult question —acknowledged the Nobel Prize winner—. You are always seeing things without being sure if you really see them. Truth is a verbal concept that cannot be subjected to mathematical proof.

As the debate delved into epistemological questions, Miller took the opportunity to slide what he considered “the philosophical dilemma” that his son was struggling with: “He doesn’t find any reason to strive to achieve something.”

—Doesn’t the question of the undulation of light awaken your curiosity? —Einstein replied.

– Well yes. “I guess so,” Pat justified.

—Then don’t stop thinking about the reasons for what you do, about why you ask what you ask. The important thing is never stop asking questions. Curiosity has its own reason for being. One cannot help but be amazed when contemplating the mysteries of eternity, of life, the wonderful structure of reality. It is enough to try to understand a little of that mystery every day. Never lose your holy curiosity.

At that point, Einstein gave Pat one of his lessons more valuable.

—Do not try to become a successful man, but rather a a man of value. Nowadays, those who get more out of life than they contribute are considered successful; but a man of value gives more than he receives.

Before saying goodbye, the physicist gave Pat one last piece of advice:

— Don’t stop marveling.

Although Einstein left profound reflections throughout his life, that invitation to prioritize “value” over “success” has become one of his maxims. most popular. Perhaps the greatest of all. AND it makes sense.

Science has already warned of the risks What the search for other people’s approval has for our health (both emotional and physical) or how important issues such as socialization either generosity.

Images | Wikipedia

Via | Pure People

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