Analyse
The quotation first appears in print in the 1960s, linked to an anti‑Nazi speech whose authenticity is itself disputed, and no earlier source ties it to Einstein. Extensive searches of Einstein’s published writings, letters, and recorded speeches reveal no match. Scholars and quote‑investigation sites consistently label the attribution to Einstein as unfounded.
Achtergrond
The quote is frequently circulated online as an Einstein aphorism, often used to encourage moral responsibility. However, the earliest documented appearance is in a 1960s pamphlet citing an alleged speech against Nazism, a document whose provenance has never been verified. Similar wording appears in other mid‑20th‑century moral essays, but none are linked to Einstein.
Samenvatting verdict
There is no credible evidence that Albert Einstein ever said or wrote this sentence.