'I am not only a pacifist but a militant pacifist'

Albert Einstein's theory of relativity became one of the scientific building blocks for atomic bombs. Five months before he died in 1955, Einstein offered the following observation about nuclear weapons: "I made one great mistake in my life ... when I signed the letter to President Roosevelt recommending that atom bombs be made; but there was some justification -- the danger that the Germans would make them."  /Image via hebus.org

Albert Einstein, who was born on March 14, 1879, is widely viewed as the greatest physicist of the 20th century. But his standing as a committed humanitarian and advocate for peace is less well known.

Here are a few of his comments about the human condition:

"The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."

"Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding."

"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed."

"There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle."

"Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools."

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity."

"Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind."

"An empty stomach is not a good political adviser."

"Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty."

"Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts."

"The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives."

"In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same."

"I am not only a pacifist but a militant pacifist. I am willing to fight for peace. Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war."

"Love is a better teacher than duty."

"Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism -- how passionately I hate them!"

"Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it."

"It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder."