“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shpwrecked by the laughter of the gods.”
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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 "Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of…," circulates under Einstein's name and focuses on whoever, undertakes, himself. No strong source for the exact text was found, so the page presents it as commonly attributed while still explaining its practical connection to education and honesty.
When to use it
- Use "Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of…" in a education discussion, then ask which concrete claim the wording makes.
- Compare its treatment of whoever with undertakes in a lesson, essay, or editorial note before drawing a conclusion. Use the closing phrase "by the laughter of the gods." to distinguish the example.
- Before sharing it as Einstein's exact words, display the attribution caveat and follow the evidence link recorded on the page.