“How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though he senses it. But without deeper reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people.”
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Attribution note
No reliable primary or scholarly source confirms this exact wording as Albert Einstein's. It is widely circulated under his name and is listed as commonly attributed.
About this quote
This wording, beginning "How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of…," circulates under Einstein's name and focuses on strange, mortals, brief. No strong source for the exact text was found, so the page presents it as commonly attributed while still explaining its practical connection to life and motivation.
When to use it
- Use "How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of…" in a life discussion, then ask which concrete claim the wording makes.
- Compare its treatment of strange with mortals in a lesson, essay, or editorial note before drawing a conclusion.
- Before sharing it as Einstein's exact words, display the attribution caveat and follow the evidence link recorded on the page.