Context

This line was written by Albert Einstein in a letter to Congressman Robert Hale (December 4, 1946).

Lots of people probably don't know that famed scientist Albert Einstein was actually a pacifist. That's why it's kind of ironic that one of his most famous discoveries would end up helping scientists on their path to creating the first atomic bomb. Sure, E=mc2 was great, but even awesome things can be used for killing if people try hard enough. Sigh.

After the two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August of 1945, Einstein was not super thrilled. Later, he would speak out against the ways that governments claim they want to end conflicts while at the same time trying to weaponize everything that isn't nailed down. That's exactly what this quote is about—Einstein is pointing out the simple truth that you can't say you don't want a war and then go about doing all the things that get you ready for one. Sure, it's good to be prepared, but in this case, is preparation actually provocation? This genius sure thought so.

Where you've heard it

This quote will generally get used in an antiwar-type setting, but even if you're pro-military, you've got to admit that those quoters (and Einstein) have a point.

Know who doesn't agree with Einstein? George Washington. In his first state of the union address, he said, "To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." To be fair, they didn't have weapons of mass destruction back in good ol' 1790.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

We guess it depends how the people you're with think about war. If they agree with Einstein, you're likely to get some return invitations. If they're war hawks, expect some eye rolls at your hopeless naiveté.