--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My only refuge, as a serious young man…" description: "\"My only refuge, as a serious young man, from the despair of my financial burden to my family, is that I did everything I could to never permit myself a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f7/albert-einstein-33_amusement_my-only-refuge-as-a-serious-young-man-fr_2367901.jpg" --- # My only refuge, as a serious young man, from the despair… ![“My only refuge, as a serious young man, from the despair of my financial burden to my family, is that I did everything I could to never permit myself any amusements or diversions except those afforded by my studies.” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f7/albert-einstein-33_amusement_my-only-refuge-as-a-serious-young-man-fr_2367901.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f7/albert-einstein-33_amusement_my-only-refuge-as-a-serious-young-man-fr_2367901.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f7/albert-einstein-33_amusement_my-only-refuge-as-a-serious-young-man-fr_2367901.jpg) > “My only refuge, as a serious young man, from the despair of my financial burden to my family, is that I did everything I could to never permit myself any amusements or diversions except those afforded by my studies.” [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Einstein emphasizes that he avoids leisure to focus on study, seeing it as a refuge from financial stress. **In simple terms:** He studies instead of having fun to cope with money worries. Key Takeaway Prioritize purposeful work over distraction. Themes discipline study financial stress Mood reflective determined Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - academic research - budgeting - career planning - stress management Key Concepts self‑control focus self‑sacrifice Questions to Reflect On - How does disciplined study affect mental health? - Can balance improve productivity? A Different Perspective Neglecting rest can lead to burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amusement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) [Burden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden/) [Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) [Despair Financial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair-financial-5821239/) [Diversion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diversion/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Financial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/financial/) [Financial burden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/financial-burden/) [Man Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-despair-806320/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [My family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-family/) [Permit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/permit/) [Refuge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuge/) [Refuge Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuge-young-5821238/) [Serious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serious/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) [Young man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-man/) ## Related quotes > [Amusement is a way of boredom-avoidance through external stimulation that fails to exercise our minds. It's mere diversion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/amusement-is-a-way-of-boredom-avoidance-through-external-stimulation/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [Christian discipleship does not involve the abandonment of any innocent enjoyment. Any diversion or amusement which we can use so as to receive pleasure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-gladden/christian-discipleship-does-not-involve-the-abandonment-of-any/) [Washington Gladden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-gladden/) > [When fear is excessive it can make many a man despair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/when-fear-is-excessive-it-can-make-many-a-man-despair/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [I am now a man of despair, rejected, abandoned, shut up in this iron cage from which there is no escape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/i-am-now-a-man-of-despair-rejected-abandoned-shut-up-in-this-iron/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [“He would smile at times, but I never heard him laugh aloud,” said Louisa Boggs. “He was a sad man . . . he seemed almost in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/he-would-smile-at-times-but-i-never-heard-him-laugh-aloud-said-louisa/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [“Hence it is a superficial view (which presumably has never seen a person in despair, not even one’s own self) when it is said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-ren-kierkegaard/hence-it-is-a-superficial-view-which-presumably-has-never-seen-a/) [Søren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-ren-kierkegaard/) > [Goals incapable of attainment have driven many a man to despair, but despair is easier to get to than that -- one need merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-barthelme/goals-incapable-of-attainment-have-driven-many-a-man-to-despair-but/) [Donald Barthelme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-barthelme/) > [The Parisan, sauntering the streets idly, is as often a man in despair as a lounger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/the-parisan-sauntering-the-streets-idly-is-as-often-a-man-in-despair/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [There is no greater folly in the world than for a man to despair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/there-is-no-greater-folly-in-the-world-than-for-a-man-to-despair/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [When a man is in despair, it means that he still believes in something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dmitri-shostakovich/when-a-man-is-in-despair-it-means-that-he-still-believes-in-something/) [Dmitri Shostakovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dmitri-shostakovich/) > [I have never met the man I could despair of after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/i-have-never-met-the-man-i-could-despair-of-after-discerning-what/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [As pressure grows to ease the financial burden on social security, pressure will also grow to eliminate the elderly and infirm to 'free up'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-thomas/as-pressure-grows-to-ease-the-financial-burden-on-social-security/) [Cal Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-thomas/) > [As they work hard for our children, America's teachers often reach into their own pockets to make sure they have the best classroom supplies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-warner/as-they-work-hard-for-our-children-america-s-teachers-often-reach/) [John Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-warner/) > [Nothing is more useless in developing a nation's economy than a gun, and nothing blocks the road to social development more than the financial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-hussein-i/nothing-is-more-useless-in-developing-a-nation-s-economy-than-a-gun/) [King Hussein I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/king-hussein-i/) > [“Honorable, happy, and successful marriage is surely the principal goal of every normal person. Marriage is perhaps the most vital of all the decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/honorable-happy-and-successful-marriage-is-surely-the-principal-goal/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) ## More by Albert Einstein > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The faster you go, the shorter you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-faster-you-go-the-shorter-you-are/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/common-sense-is-nothing-more-than-a-deposit-of-prejudices-laid-down/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. But from nearby it looks quite different. There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The strongest force in the universe is Compound Interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-strongest-force-in-the-universe-is-compound-interest/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The right to search for the truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-right-to-search-for-the-truth-implies-also-a-duty-one-must-not/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/everything-that-is-really-great-and-inspiring-is-created-by-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The world we have made is a result of the level of thinking we have done thus far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-world-we-have-made-is-a-result-of-the-level-of-thinking-we-have/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Anyone who thinks science is trying to make human life easier or more pleasant is utterly mistaken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/anyone-who-thinks-science-is-trying-to-make-human-life-easier-or-more/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Life isn't worth living, unless it is lived for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/life-isn-t-worth-living-unless-it-is-lived-for-someone-else/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it isn't true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/just-because-you-don-t-believe-in-something-doesn-t-mean-it-isn-t-true/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [But there is another reason for the high repute of mathematics: it is mathematics that offers the exact natural sciences a certain measure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/but-there-is-another-reason-for-the-high-repute-of-mathematics-it-is/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/nothing-will-benefit-human-health-and-increase-the-chances-for/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) [Explore all 2,339 Albert Einstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## More Amusement quotes > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Ancient eyes had stared at me, filled with ancient grief. And something more. Something so alien and unexpected that I'd almost burst into tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/ancient-eyes-had-stared-at-me-filled-with-ancient-grief-and-something/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Every producer in Hollywood had set me down as a type. I was both amused and disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-lugosi/every-producer-in-hollywood-had-set-me-down-as-a-type-i-was-both/) [Bela Lugosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-lugosi/) > [By amusing myself with all these games, all this nonsense, all these picture puzzles, I became famous... I am only a public entertainer who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/by-amusing-myself-with-all-these-games-all-this-nonsense-all-these/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [I just started writing for my own amusement and occasionally singing in little clubs around Los Angeles. Then I wrote 'The Rose,' and through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-mcbroom/i-just-started-writing-for-my-own-amusement-and-occasionally-singing/) [Amanda McBroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-mcbroom/) > [Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/happiness-does-not-consist-in-pastimes-and-amusements-but-in-virtuous/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-mass-of-men-lead-lives-of-quiet-desperation-what-is-called/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Ordinary people simply don't know what books mean to us, shut up here. Reading, learning, and the radio are our amusements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/ordinary-people-simply-don-t-know-what-books-mean-to-us-shut-up-here/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [My first job was at an amusement park in Virginia. It was the worst. I loved the park but once I'd worked there all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/my-first-job-was-at-an-amusement-park-in-virginia-it-was-the-worst-i/) [Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/) > [The Stoics say, "Retire within yourselves; it is there you will find your rest." And that is not true. Others say, "Go out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-stoics-say-retire-within-yourselves-it-is-there-you-will-find/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [I realized, "Gee, you're making the same film over and over here." I just kept making them for my own amusement, but also with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/i-realized-gee-you-re-making-the-same-film-over-and-over-here-i-just/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [I like these boots," I told Vayl. "Do you think they'd sell them to me cheap? I keep ruining mine." "Since when do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rardin/i-like-these-boots-i-told-vayl-do-you-think-they-d-sell-them-to-me/) [Jennifer Rardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rardin/) > [It has to be now,” he insisted, a flick of amusement in his voice. He nudged his burgeoning loins against her. “After all, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/it-has-to-be-now-he-insisted-a-flick-of-amusement-in-his-voice-he/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [Act as if the universe is a prodigious miracle created for your amusement and illumination. Assume that secret helpers are working behind the scenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-brezsny/act-as-if-the-universe-is-a-prodigious-miracle-created-for-your/) [Rob Brezsny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-brezsny/) > [Amusement that is excessive and followed only for its own sake, allures and deceives us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/amusement-that-is-excessive-and-followed-only-for-its-own-sake/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) [Browse all 567 Amusement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My only refuge, as a serious young man, from the despair of my financial burden to my family, is that I did everything I could to never permit myself any amusements or diversions except those afforded by my studies.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Albert Einstein" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/my-only-refuge-as-a-serious-young-man-from-the-despair-of-my/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Amusement" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/my-only-refuge-as-a-serious-young-man-from-the-despair-of-my/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f7/albert-einstein-33_amusement_my-only-refuge-as-a-serious-young-man-fr_2367901.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f7/albert-einstein-33_amusement_my-only-refuge-as-a-serious-young-man-fr_2367901.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f7/albert-einstein-33_amusement_my-only-refuge-as-a-serious-young-man-fr_2367901.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My only refuge, as a serious young man, from the despair of my financial burden to my family, is that I did…” — Albert Einstein", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Albert Einstein", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My only refuge, as a serious...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/my-only-refuge-as-a-serious-young-man-from-the-despair-of-my/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/my-only-refuge-as-a-serious-young-man-from-the-despair-of-my/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```