“Paper is to write things down that we need to remember. Our brains are used to think.”
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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 "Paper is to write things down that we need to…," circulates under Einstein's name and focuses on paper, write, things. No strong source for the exact text was found, so the page presents it as commonly attributed while still explaining its practical connection to philosophy and wisdom.
When to use it
- Use "Paper is to write things down that we need to…" in a philosophy discussion, then ask which concrete claim the wording makes.
- Compare its treatment of paper with write 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.