What Did Einstein Mean by z is keeping your mouth shut?

In summary: He was speaking to a group of physicists, many of whom were already eminent. He was trying to urge them to maintain their humility and not to get too cocky.
  • #1
wrobel
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by this quote "If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."

i wonder if "z" means "say nobody about your results until they are published" or "work and do not gab on empty"
 
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  • #2
Or maybe ##z## means that we shouldn't boast in life about our success. The fact is, the point of maxima is always an unstable equilibrium, and it is very easy to fall down from there.

Your explanation:
wrobel said:
say nobody about your results until they are published
could be equally true. There are a large number of examples, especially in particle physics, where a physicist has discussed something with his colleague over the coffee table, and the latter completed the former's work and published it before the former did, thereby getting all the appreciation actually due to the former.
 
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  • #3
Other reasons he might have said that talking too much draws attention to you if you make politically dangerous comments especially in Germany in the '30's. Sometimes even well meaning comments produce unfavorable.reactions causing one distress. Einstein was a pacifist and publicly denounce the use of the A bomb although he supported its development. This may have been the reason that he was suspected of communist leanings by the US government.
 
  • #4
He didn't keep his mouth shut... :-D
So many quotes of his...
 
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  • #5
wrobel said:
by this quote "If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."...

For a pacifist Einstein had remarkable insight into the military. To paraphrase the prototypical sergeant to trainee, "Soldier, shut up and soldier!" or the navy-marine version, "Work your guns, not your jaws." The civilian version might say, "Do not talk your way out of a good job.".
 
  • #6
How old was he when he said that? If it was later in life, he may have come to see that domestic tranquility sometimes requires holding one's tongue.
 
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  • #7
gmax137 said:
How old was he when he said that? If it was later in life, he may have come to see that domestic tranquility sometimes requires holding one's tongue.
As per this site, Einstein said the quoted lines in 1929. He was 50 years old then.
 
  • #8
Btw, he said muse not play.

In my opinion he meant: Let others judge. It's a call for modesty. Any other interpretation ignores in my mind the common system of moral values in 1929.

There is a modern days version of this attitude of modesty, partly meant as sarcasm:
"Bescheidenheit ist eine Zier, weiter kommt man ohne ihr!"
"Modesty is an adornment, farther you get by an announcement!"

However, this wasn't the attitude of gentle people in 1929.
 
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FAQ: What Did Einstein Mean by z is keeping your mouth shut?

What did Einstein mean when he said "and z is keeping your mouth shut" in discussing success?

Einstein believed that true success was not just about intelligence or knowledge, but also about being humble and open to learning from others. He believed that keeping quiet and listening to others was an important factor in achieving success.

Was Einstein suggesting that one should never speak up or share their ideas?

No, Einstein was not suggesting that one should never speak up or share their ideas. Instead, he was emphasizing the importance of being open-minded and listening to others before speaking or making decisions.

Why did Einstein think keeping quiet was important for success?

Einstein believed that keeping quiet allowed one to listen and learn from others, which could lead to new ideas and insights. It also showed humility and a willingness to consider different perspectives, which are important traits for success.

Can one achieve success without keeping their mouth shut?

Yes, it is possible to achieve success without always keeping your mouth shut. However, Einstein's point was that being open-minded and listening to others can greatly contribute to success, and it is an important quality to have in addition to intelligence and knowledge.

How can one practice "keeping their mouth shut" in their pursuit of success?

One can practice this by actively listening to others and considering their perspectives, asking questions rather than asserting opinions, and being open to learning from others. It also involves being humble and recognizing that there is always more to learn.

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