Did Einstein Really Say That?

When we perceive someone as intelligent, we often seek their wisdom—and if they can provide it in a pithy quote, all the better. That’s probably why famous theoretical physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) is so often quoted—and misquoted—in matters of science and philosophy. See if you can figure out which of these thoughts are from Einstein and which aren’t in the quiz below.

Though Einstein’s thoughts are widely cited, they often have to be translated. Born and raised in Germany, Einstein primarily spoke German well into adulthood. During his first trip to New York City in 1921 at age 42, reporters had to interview him via translators. He didn’t pick up English until he immigrated to the States in 1933. His writing was in German; letters or articles intended for English-speaking audiences would be translated by a friend or secretary.

Nor did Einstein think the world would hang on his every word. “In the past, it never occurred to me that every casual remark of mine would be snatched up and recorded,” he once wrote to a biographer. “Otherwise I would have crept further into my shell.”

Given his later quotability, it’s also interesting to note Einstein didn’t start speaking until age 2, or roughly a year later than average.

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