“Now he has again preceded me a little in parting from this strange world. This has no importance. For people like us who believe in physics, the separation between past, present and future has only the importance of an admittedly tenacious illusion.”
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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 "Now he has again preceded me a little in parting…," circulates under Einstein's name and focuses on preceded, little, parting. 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 creativity.
When to use it
- Use "Now he has again preceded me a little in parting…" in a science discussion, then ask which concrete claim the wording makes.
- Compare its treatment of preceded with little 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.

