Albert Einstein · "If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts."

Misattributed; likely a parody of his views (no verified source in his works) · Gecheckt op 27 februari 2026

If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts.

Analyse

The quote contradicts Einstein’s well-documented scientific philosophy, which emphasized empirical evidence and the revision of theories—not facts—to align with observations. Extensive searches of his published works, letters, and archived materials (e.g., *The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein*) yield no trace of this statement. The quote appears to be a misattribution, often circulated in parody or satire of pseudoscience, and is frequently debunked by quote verification sources.

Achtergrond

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) was a theoretical physicist whose work, including the theories of relativity, relied on rigorous empirical validation. He famously stated the opposite sentiment—e.g., 'No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right; a single experiment can prove me wrong'—reflecting his commitment to falsifiability. Misattributed quotes to Einstein are common due to his iconic status, often exploited to lend false authority to dubious claims.

Samenvatting verdict

There is no credible evidence that Albert Einstein ever said or wrote, 'If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts.'

Geraadpleegde bronnen

— The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein (Princeton University Press, digital archive) – [https://einsteinpapers.press.princeton.edu/](https://einsteinpapers.press.princeton.edu/)

— Quote Investigator: 'If the Facts Don’t Fit the Theory…' – [https://quoteinvestigator.com/2017/04/23/facts/](https://quoteinvestigator.com/2017/04/23/facts/)

— Snopes: 'Did Einstein Say ‘If the Facts Don’t Fit the Theory…’?' – [https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/einstein-facts-theory-quote/](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/einstein-facts-theory-quote/)