I came to America because of the great, great freedom which I heard existed in this country. I made a mistake in selecting America as a land of freedom, a mistake I cannot repair in the balance of my lifetime.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Einstein regretted moving to America, feeling the freedom he expected was not fully realized during his time there.
- In plain terms
- He felt disappointed with America because it was not as free as he hoped.
- What can you take from it?
- Be cautious about idealizing a place or nation.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Have you ever felt a place wasn't what you expected?
- Can freedom be overrated?
Another view
His view reflects personal experience rather than an objective fact.
More from Albert Einstein
God does not care about our mathematical difficulties. He integrates empirically.
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