The secret of success

Words to remember (or borrow) on the business of science

“If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.”

Albert Einstein

In case you hadn’t noticed, 2005 is not just the World Year of Physics. It’s also Einstein Year, celebrating the annus mirabilis 100 years ago when Albert Einstein published three papers that changed the way we look at the Universe – and, consequently how we look at ourselves.

But despite what he said about success in life, the man who became the century’s iconic scientist had quite a talent for opening his mouth when he felt the need. By the time he formed his maxim about shut mouths, in 1950, he was already both successful and outspoken.

Although Einstein can be regarded as the inspiration for the Manhattan project – it was he who wrote the key letter to President Roosevelt in 1939 warning that the Germans were trying to develop an atomic bomb – he later campaigned in favour of international controls on atomic weapons. Famously (the man had a knack for notable quotes) he said in 1955 about his role in the development of the bomb, “If only I had known, I would have become a watchmaker.” And he courted controversy by speaking out against the witch-hunts organised by the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Perhaps, then, the great man was being ironic.