You
have to learn the rules of the game.
And
then you have to play better than anyone else.
A letter from Albert
Einstein to his 11-year-old son Hans Albert, found in Posterity: Letter of
Great Americans To Their Children.
My
dear Albert,
Yesterday
I received your dear letter and was very happy with it. I was already afraid
you wouldn’t write to me at all anymore. You told me when I was in Zurich, that
it is awkward for you when I come to Zurich.
Therefore
I think it is better if we get together in a different place, where nobody will
interfere with our comfort. I will in any case urge that each year we spend a
whole month together, so that you see that you have a father who is fond of you
and who loves you. You can also learn many good and beautiful things from me, something
another cannot as easily offer you. What I have achieved through such a lot of
strenuous work shall not only be there for strangers but especially for my own
boys. These days I have completed one of the most beautiful works of my life,
when you are bigger, I will tell you about it.
I
am very pleased that you find joy with the piano. This and carpentry are in my
opinion for your age the best pursuits, better even than school. Because those
are things which fit a young person such as you very well. Mainly play the
things on the piano which please you, even if the teacher does not assign
those.
That is the way to learn the most,
that when you are doing something with such enjoyment that you don’t notice
that the time passes. I am sometimes so wrapped up in my
work that I forget about the noon meal.
Also
play ringtoss with Tete. That teaches you agility. Also go to my friend Zangger
sometimes. He is a dear man.
Be
with Tete kissed by your
Papa.
Regards
to Mama.
Caught
the bold!!!!!
Learning Secrets from
Albert Einstein