Too many of us look upon Americans as dollar chasers. This is a cruel libel, even if it is reiterated thoughtlessly by the Americans themselves.

More from Albert Einstein

• Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love.
• Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
• He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.
• I cannot believe that God plays dice with the cosmos.
• I have deep faith that the principle of the universe will be beautiful and simple.
• I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.