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About this quote

What does it mean?
Einstein reflects that past, present, and future are illusions according to physics.
In plain terms
People who understand physics know time distinctions are an illusion.
What can you take from it?
Time is a human perception, not a physical reality.

Where it applies

  • grief
  • philosophical discussion
  • scientific study

Putting it to work

  • understanding relativity
  • comforting loss
  • exploring time

Questions to consider

  • How do you perceive time now?
  • What is real about the past?

Another view

The illusion of time may not comfort those grieving.

More from Albert Einstein

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  2. The important thing is not to stop questioning; curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when contemplating the mysteries of et…

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  3. The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends whic…

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