Einstein’s 5 Maxims for Creative Excellence
posted by admin on October 10th, 2008
1. Imagination is more important than knowledge.
What it means: Don’t let ignorance hold you back! What the beginner might lack in knowledge she makes up for with a lack of preconceived notions. Learn as you go and don’t be afraid to question the status quo.
2. Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.
What it means: Don’t spend all your time reading the thoughts of others. You’ll learn more and become more creative by creating for yourself.
3. The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.
What it means: Be curious, playful, whimsical. The world is a fascinating place. Don’t get bogged down by the details of daily life.
4. The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.
What it means: Follow your curiosity wherever it leads. Don’t be afraid of the unknown, rather embarrass the magical excitement of mystery.
5. The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.
What it means: Take inspiration and make it your own. Don’t steal the work of others, but don’t be afraid to use their best ideas to enhance your own creativity.
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October 13th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Hi there - I like the statement at number 3 - The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.
I find it’s great to have this approach with a lot of things in life, kind of a healthy skepticism! Thanks for the post
October 14th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
“Don’t be afraid of the unknown, rather embarrass the magical excitement of mystery.” Should we embrace mystery instead? Excellent dialogue regarding the danger of spell checking.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I don`t think that is what number 5 means. Sources of inspiration, when shared, produce work that is very similar even when the artists have not “shared” what they planned to do. I know a bunch of companies that use the same clipart company, only to quarrel over originality. Don`t share your sources, or you will have 15 others copying you.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I appreciated the bit about letting preconceived notions thwart creativity. If you think about it the very essence of creativity is completely congruent with being open minded. The two work hand in hand really.
October 14th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I never knew Einstein was a programmer.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Is it really Einstein saying all these fancy things? So many sayings are attributed to Einstein that the validity is questionable. Would like to know the source.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Gee that’s great. You’ve explained Einstein’s brilliant words with your own dumb ones. Maybe somebody else should blog this and try to explain what your “what it means” means. I thought the quotes were obvious enough. Why dumbify them?
October 15th, 2008 at 11:28 am
@rem the quotes come from several different quotation sites like BrainyQuote and ThinkExist. You are right that there is a possibility they are wrongly attributed.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:34 am
@Octopus - as dumb as I am, it is obvious you are a pathetically insecure person. Go away and don’t come back until you have something constructive to post.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Octopus is right. John, your writing doesn’t contribute anything to the words of Einstein. You arrogantly add ‘WHAT IT MEANS’ like you truly understand Einstein. Basically, you want to compare yourself to his genius. And, I must say that you have shown a good comparisson. Although, I can’t say it’s in your favour.
October 16th, 2008 at 6:11 am
photoshopped!
October 16th, 2008 at 7:50 am
I think both of you are wrong on #5
It means that people don’t actually create things. They see other things and copy them. One can seem creative if he hides his source of inspiration and only show it’s result. like an artist painting a scene from nature.
October 16th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Great collection of Einstein creativity quotes!
October 16th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I like number two - it makes a lot of sense, though I wouldn’t have thought of it myself!
October 16th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
[...] [From Einstein’s 5 Maxims for Creative Excellence | Ace Online Schools] [...]
October 21st, 2008 at 4:39 pm
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October 22nd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
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October 23rd, 2008 at 9:24 am
Number 5 sounds like stealing!
October 30th, 2008 at 3:51 am
I would have to say i disagree on your guys’ interpretatoins of #5. It doesn’t have to do with “stealing” ideas, but more the surpassing of them. Of course, most if not all of your ideas stem from the previous ihoughts you have encountered, but to be truly creative you must develop something further, something which surpasses those ideas. So, if you are to create a truly novel idea (in the field of science, for example), you must take into account the ideas of those that have come before you but you must also subdue them in creating and presenting a new, more powerful concept.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:54 am
p.s. i’m drunk.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:54 am
really.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:55 am
but i still think it’s a good comment.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:59 am
.p.s. –to elaine B.: why would einstein be concerned with a competitive advantage?
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:04 am
On an aside, I’d like to extend mad kudos to D$ for being online commenting on Einstein quotes at 4am, drunk. That’s admirable.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Really inspiring +_+
I like his approach +_+
November 15th, 2008 at 8:38 am
This is embarrassing, or embracing But good post anyway. Positive messages are great!
December 12th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I like No.3 best, curiocity –> desire to know more. As to reading, I would think reading is better than not reading at all. You can always carry on a dialogue or conversation with the authors, if you can engage in active reading.
February 13th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I like number 3 best too.
January 31st, 2010 at 9:58 pm
mmm this is very old now, but I’d like to add something… the way I interpret number 5 is this: if no one can tell what your influences are, then you have made something creative enough, no matter if you started over other people’s shoulders.