My pacifism is an instinctive feeling, a feeling that possesses me because the murder of men is disgusting. My attitude is not derived from any intellectual theory but is based on my deepest antipathy to every kind of cruelty and hatred.

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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 "My pacifism is an instinctive feeling, a feeling that possesses…," circulates under Einstein's name and focuses on pacifism, instinctive, feeling. No strong source for the exact text was found, so the page presents it as commonly attributed while still explaining its practical connection to science and education.

When to use it

  • Use "My pacifism is an instinctive feeling, a feeling that possesses…" in a science discussion, then ask which concrete claim the wording makes.
  • Compare its treatment of pacifism with instinctive 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.