--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are part of the whole which we call…" description: "\"We are part of the whole which we call the universe, but it is an optical delusion of our mind that we think we are separate. This separateness is like..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/albert-einstein-33_circles_we-are-part-of-the-whole-which-we-call-t_306829.jpg" --- # We are part of the whole which we call the universe, but… ![“We are part of the whole which we call the universe, but it is an optical delusion of our mind that we think we are separate. This separateness is like a prison for us. Our job is to widen the circle of our compassion so we feel connected with all people and situations.” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/albert-einstein-33_circles_we-are-part-of-the-whole-which-we-call-t_306829.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/albert-einstein-33_circles_we-are-part-of-the-whole-which-we-call-t_306829.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/albert-einstein-33_circles_we-are-part-of-the-whole-which-we-call-t_306829.jpg) > “We are part of the whole which we call the universe, but it is an optical delusion of our mind that we think we are separate. This separateness is like a prison for us. Our job is to widen the circle of our compassion so we feel connected with all people and situations.” [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. Human beings perceive separation as a mental illusion; recognizing unity expands compassion and reduces suffering. **In simple terms:** We are all connected; compassion grows when we see this. Key Takeaway Cultivate empathy and view others as part of a whole. Themes unity compassion illusion interconnectedness Mood hopeful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - education - conflict resolution - mental health work - community building Key Concepts psychology spirituality social ethics Questions to Reflect On - In what ways do you feel separated from others? - How can you practice expanding your circle of compassion? A Different Perspective Seeing unity may be challenging in deeply divided societies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Circles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circles/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Connected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connected/) [Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Separate Separateness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separate-separateness-2919999/) [Separateness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separateness/) [Separateness Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separateness-like-2920000/) [Situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situation/) [Think Separate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-separate-376069/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) ## Related quotes > [We think that by protecting ourselves from suffering, we are being kind to ourselves. The truth is we only become more fearful, more hardened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/we-think-that-by-protecting-ourselves-from-suffering-we-are-being/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [When this delusion of utter separateness underlies and governs whatever I think, say, and do, what kind of world do I create?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/when-this-delusion-of-utter-separateness-underlies-and-governs/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [The greatest tragedy of human existence is the illusion of separateness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-greatest-tragedy-of-human-existence-is-the-illusion-of/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The first thing I think about when we separate after meeting up, is when I will be able to see you again. I crave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azgraybebly-josland/the-first-thing-i-think-about-when-we-separate-after-meeting-up-is/) [Azgraybebly Josland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azgraybebly-josland/) > [Never think you can separate who you are from what you're doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/never-think-you-can-separate-who-you-are-from-what-you-re-doing/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Our brains are so conditioned through education, through religion, to think we are separate entities with separate souls and so on. We are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-brains-are-so-conditioned-through-education-through-religion-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't think you can separate a place from its history. I think a place is much more than the bricks and mortar that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/i-don-t-think-you-can-separate-a-place-from-its-history-i-think-a/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [I think that I do separate myself a fair amount. And I don't feel like I am representing women. That's up to however people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-allen/i-think-that-i-do-separate-myself-a-fair-amount-and-i-don-t-feel-like/) [Joan Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-allen/) > [Don't think of us as separate beings. Imagine that we are one body and it's been split into millions. When we sit in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/don-t-think-of-us-as-separate-beings-imagine-that-we-are-one-body-and/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [The people that watch or buy music or listen to TV, I don't think they separate the two as much as the people that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-yothers/the-people-that-watch-or-buy-music-or-listen-to-tv-i-don-t-think-they/) [Tina Yothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-yothers/) > [Of course it would depend on the project, but I don't think I could ever separate myself from my aesthetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zack-snyder/of-course-it-would-depend-on-the-project-but-i-don-t-think-i-could/) [Zack Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zack-snyder/) > [We are already ONE. We just think we are separate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-are-already-one-we-just-think-we-are-separate/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [I think you can separate yourself from your fears. You know what you should do, and it's just scary to do it. But I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-homme/i-think-you-can-separate-yourself-from-your-fears-you-know-what-you/) [Josh Homme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-homme/) > [When man began to think he was a separate person with a separate soul, it created a violent situation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/when-man-began-to-think-he-was-a-separate-person-with-a-separate-soul/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [When you think about something, you separate yourself from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/when-you-think-about-something-you-separate-yourself-from-it/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## 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 Circles quotes > [In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-some-circles-where-very-heavy-people-think-they-have-very-heavy/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [Gambling has held human beings in thrall for millennia. It has been engaged in everywhere, from the dregs of society to the most respectable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-l-bernstein/gambling-has-held-human-beings-in-thrall-for-millennia-it-has-been/) [Peter L. Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-l-bernstein/) > [And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/and-the-seasons-they-go-round-and-round-and-the-painted-ponies-go-up/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to a semi-official statement; if they have fallen into conversation with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/if-for-instance-they-have-heard-something-from-the-postman-they/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [Maybe this is a way of gaslighting myself, but I think of it this way: In certain circles, my grandpa was considered to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/maybe-this-is-a-way-of-gaslighting-myself-but-i-think-of-it-this-way/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [All my life's a circle; But I can't tell you why; Season's spinning round again; The years keep rollin' by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapin/all-my-life-s-a-circle-but-i-can-t-tell-you-why-season-s-spinning/) [Harry Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-chapin/) > [There's when a phrase circles in my head in a number of ways for any number of days, weeks, or months, and then that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mangan/there-s-when-a-phrase-circles-in-my-head-in-a-number-of-ways-for-any/) [Dan Mangan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mangan/) > [I have no name for what circles so perfectly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/i-have-no-name-for-what-circles-so-perfectly/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [It's important to recognize that expanding the circle of opportunity and increasing the democratic potential of our own society, as well as those across…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/it-s-important-to-recognize-that-expanding-the-circle-of-opportunity/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [The fight against syphilis demands a fight against prostitution, against prejudices, old habits, against previous conceptions, general views among them not least the false…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-fight-against-syphilis-demands-a-fight-against-prostitution/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [Tell them you came, and saw, and looked into my eyes and saw the shadow of the guard receding. Thoughts in time and out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/tell-them-you-came-and-saw-and-looked-into-my-eyes-and-saw-the-shadow/) [Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/) > [ \[Wise men\] have tried to understand our state of being, by grasping at its stars, or its arts, or its economics. But, if there… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-fort/wise-men-have-tried-to-understand-our-state-of-being-by-grasping-at/) [Charles Fort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-fort/) > [You know Kim Jong Un, the evil dictator of North Korea? Apparently, a guy in his inner circle used his ashtray while smoking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/you-know-kim-jong-un-the-evil-dictator-of-north-korea-apparently-a/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [The Brick House was one of the toughest joints I ever played in ... Guys would drink and fight one another like circle saws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/the-brick-house-was-one-of-the-toughest-joints-i-ever-played-in-guys/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) [Browse all 1,860 Circles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circles/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are part of the whole which we call the universe, but it is an optical delusion of our mind that we think we are separate. This separateness is like a prison for us. Our job is to widen the circle of our compassion so we feel connected with all people and situations.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Albert Einstein" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/we-are-part-of-the-whole-which-we-call-the-universe-but-it-is-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Circles" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/we-are-part-of-the-whole-which-we-call-the-universe-but-it-is-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/albert-einstein-33_circles_we-are-part-of-the-whole-which-we-call-t_306829.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/albert-einstein-33_circles_we-are-part-of-the-whole-which-we-call-t_306829.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/albert-einstein-33_circles_we-are-part-of-the-whole-which-we-call-t_306829.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are part of the whole which we call the universe, but it is an optical delusion of our mind that we think…” — 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": "We are part of the whole...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/we-are-part-of-the-whole-which-we-call-the-universe-but-it-is-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/we-are-part-of-the-whole-which-we-call-the-universe-but-it-is-an/#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 } } ] } ```