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About this quote

What does it mean?
Intellect is a powerful tool but lacks the ability to lead morally or emotionally; it should serve higher human values. Logic alone cannot guide life decisions.
In plain terms
Use your mind as a tool, not as your ultimate guide.
What can you take from it?
Let values guide your intellect, not the other way around.

Where it applies

  • Decision making
  • Ethical dilemmas
  • Career choices

Putting it to work

  • Consult your conscience first
  • Use data to support values
  • Avoid pure logic in morals

Questions to consider

  • When did logic fail to guide you morally?
  • What guides you besides facts?

Another view

Intellect is often needed to solve complex problems effectively.

More from Albert Einstein

  1. To take those fools in clerical garb seriously is to show them too much honor.

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  2. A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it.

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  3. One has a feeling that one has a kind of home in this timeless community of human beings that strive for truth. : I have always believed that Jesus meant by th…

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