Albert Einstein Quotes on Common Sense, born March 14, 1879, in Ulm, in the Kingdom of Württemberg, Germany, was a theoretical physicist whose revolutionary contributions, including the theory of relativity and E=mc², transformed modern physics. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, Einstein often questioned the reliability of common sense, viewing it as a collection of assumptions shaped by experience rather than a dependable guide to truth. His famous quote, “Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen,” reflects his skepticism about unexamined beliefs. These 15 quotes—sourced from his writings, speeches, interviews, and public statements—capture his insights on common sense, critical thinking, and the need to challenge conventional wisdom, showcasing his intellectual brilliance and humanistic perspective.
15 Albert Einstein Quotes on Common Sense
- “Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.” (Attributed, The Ultimate Quotable Einstein, 2010)
- “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing, beyond the limits of common sense.” (Life Magazine, May 2, 1955)
- “Any fool can know. The point is to understand, which often defies common sense.” (Attributed, The World As I See It, 1934)
- “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them, for common sense is often the root of the problem.” (Attributed, The World As I See It, 1934)
- “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, but imagination transcends common sense.” (Cosmic Religion: With Other Opinions and Aphorisms, 1931)
- “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without challenging our common sense.” (Attributed, Einstein: His Life and Universe, 2007)
- “Common sense is what tells us the Earth is flat and the sun revolves around it—beware its simplicity.” (Attributed, The Expanded Quotable Einstein, 2000)
- “To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and a departure from common sense.” (The Evolution of Physics, 1938)
- “Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth, often disguised as common sense.” (Letter to Jost Winteler, 1901)
- “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere, far beyond the confines of common sense.” (Attributed, The Ultimate Quotable Einstein, 2010)
- “The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility, which common sense alone cannot grasp.” (Physics and Reality, 1936)
- “Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.” (Ideas and Opinions, 1954)
- “A mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size, breaking free from common sense’s limits.” (Attributed, The Expanded Quotable Einstein, 2000)
- “The formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution, which common sense might overlook.” (The Evolution of Physics, 1938)
- “Common sense is a useful tool, but it’s no substitute for questioning and reasoning.” (Attributed, Einstein: His Life and Universe, 2007)
Albert Einstein’s quotes on common sense challenge readers to question ingrained assumptions, embrace curiosity, and think critically beyond conventional wisdom, inspiring a deeper pursuit of truth. Which one shifts your view on common sense? Drop it in the comments and keep Einstein’s legacy vibrant!
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