If I would be a young man again and had to decide how to make my living, I would not try to become a scientist or teacher. I would rather choose to be a plumber or a peddler in the hope to find that modest degree of independence still available under present circumstances.
—Albert Einstein
I keep pondering this quote…Einstein said it in a magazine interview when he was about 75. He had joined the Institute for Advanced Study in 1933 so he was free to study anything that interested him…he didn’t need to worry about getting grants or earning money. So why did he think being a plumber or a peddler would have been better?
Anyway, some plumbers loved the quote,
Around the United States, plumbers responded. The famous physicist was offered membership in the Chicago plumbers union, and Stanley Murray, a New York plumber, wrote to him: “Since my ambition has always been to be a scholar and yours seems to be a plumber, I suggest that as a team we would be tremendously successful. We can then be possessed by both knowledge and independence. I am ready to change the name of my firm to read: Einstein and Stanley Plumbing Co.”
….
In addition, an Ohio tool manufacturer which specialized in production of fine plumbers pipe tools for over 50 years at that time, sent him a set of genuine “TOLEDO” plumbers pipe tools to help him get started with his career change. “They are so easy to operate that we are sure you will enjoy using them on any little piping jobs you may have about your home,” wrote the company’s vice president in what was a pretty tongue-and-cheek letter.
—Albert Einstein said if he could do it all again, he would be a plumber
I can see why Einstein’s comment would make them feel good. I’m afraid I can’t picture him actually doing any plumbing.
Are you happy with the life decisions you made?
February 6, 2021
It makes me really curious why he would have said this! I don’t really understand his explanation.
I don’t either….it doesn’t make sense to me.
A very odd quote indeed.
There have been many things along life’s way that I might want to change, but ll in all, it has been a good life.
That’s the main thing, on the whole having a good life.
As a former nuclear operator whose technical specialty in the Navy was pipes, valves, and misc. reactor and steam plant equipment, I CAN see it. My rating was machinest mate. Today, they’ve upped the specialty for those in the nuclear field to machinest mate, nuclear — kind of a glorified nautical plumber. I know a lot of pretty sharp ex-Navy machinist mates.
I’m pretty satisfied with the choices I made, including the job opportunities I declined to pursue.
I’m so glad it worked out well for you. I think being a plumber is a great profession, but I don’t understand why Einstein thought it would have given him more independence than his position at the Institute for Advanced Studies. The very purpose of the Institute was to give its scholars Independence.
I didn’t make the right choices, many times along on my journey. But then I think would they have been any better…
Today, I was messaging a friend about taking a short holiday as tester to see if I was bold enough to travel round NZ for longer. At some point I said “maybe I should set my sights closer to home…” and said friend replied “accommodation is hard to find there, although there is a backpackers at Onetangi” — I came back with “ummm….Google and no I wasn’t planning on that type of accommodation, bunk rooms”
I suddenly realised that this particular friend didn’t understand that actually I found after my big trip away in 2019, I could afford to get better digs.
Yes I had yesterday to said friend, I would stay at the YHA if I went to Rotorua which is a type of hostel but I can see that I could get a single room with en suite for a reasonable sum – I don’t want to have to go down the “bunk room” lane again…
But for now, trip is just in my head…not truly firing on all cylinders/health wise. That has to improve a little more…
It’s still fun to think about possibilities even if you can’t go for a while. When I traveled in the past planning it was at least half the fun.
Definitely, I am happy.
Perhaps the plumber idea was just a generalization like being a chef (or some such occupation). He’d like the idea of more independence vs. responsibilities etc. But, all in all…ANY job (including a mother or a typist, i.e.,) …there is a science in EACH job
Maybe he thought that he was supposed to be doing great things all the time?
his quote makes no sense to me, he did not TRY to be what he was, he just WAS that. i could try till the cows come home to be what he was and it would never happen and I am thinking he could not use a wrench with any success. my brother is a mathematic brain, i can barely add and subtract. on the other hand I could spell and talk a LOT, he could do neither. I think we all have a gift some more than one and we should use whatever we were born to be . you would not want to use the kitcehn sink that i did plumbing work on. not sure what he was thinking.. really SMART people usually don’t have common sense might be the answer.
I agree, find your talents and what you enjoy doing and go in that direction. Don’t worry about what paths other people are taking.
Sometimes I do wish I could go back and change choices…but not either cause it might mean different end results…
The main thing is to be happy about where you are now, that means you somehow took a good path even if it wasn’t the only possible one.
Sure, on occasion I’ve questioned my choices. Then again, I had neither the aptitude nor the IQ for certain professions. Let’s not mention, my reluctance to strive! (*smile*) When all’s said and done, I’m content to applaud others from my happy place in the wings.
I’ve always been motivated, but not for worldly achievement. I’ve been more growth oriented and love developing skills and learning new things. That’s why I’ve never wanted to go back in time…I would have to give up too much. And I’m with you, the stage is no place for me!
perhaps he meant that he’d spent so much time ‘in his head’ that it would be nice to simply create something useful or fix something and see the results.
a more physical result than what he had dealt with his whole life.
his was such an amazing mind though. look what he created and GAVE to the world with his Thoughts! bless him. and I especially like that picture of him.
and… I Love the plumbers’ good natured responses! LOL xoxo
Except there are plenty of hobbies one can do for relaxation and enjoyment. I too loved the good-natured responses!
That just seems like a very odd quote to me.
As for me, am I have with the life decisions I made? I can’t say that I’ve always made the best decisions but they are ones that I can live with so there’s that.
The main thing is to enjoy where we are now. 🙂