Einstein´s theory of happiness fetched $1.3 million at an auction in Jerusalem on Tuesday. It was a hand-written note with the musings of Albert Einstein on it that sheds some light on one of the great minds of all time. The bidding for the note began at $2,000 but quickly escalated and lasted 25 minutes. Albert Einstein was a founder of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and left it his literary estate and personal papers.
Einstein wrote the note in 1922 while traveling through Japan when he learned that he would be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. The note is written in German and apparently he gave it to a bellboy as a tip when he had no cash. He said it would probably be more worth than a regular tip due to his fame. It reads: “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.”
happiness (ˈhæpɪnəs) – das Glück
to fetch (fetʃ) – etw einbringen, erzielen
to muse (mju:z) – nachgrübeln, nachsinnen
to shed (ʃed) – hier: etw verbreiten, scheinen
bidding (ˈbɪdɪŋ) – das Bieten, Gebote
to escalate (ˈeskəleɪt) – eskalieren, sich ausweiten, stark ansteigen
to last (lɑ:st) – andauern, anhalten
literary estate (ˈlɪtərəri ɪˈsteɪt) – das literarische Eigentum, Gut
to award (əˈwɔ:d) – etw verleihen, zusprechen
bellboy (belbɔɪ) – der Hotelpage
fame (feɪm) – der Ruhm
pursuit (pəˈsju:t) – das Streben
restlessness (ˈrestləsnəs) – die Unruhe, Rastlosigkeit