---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I examine myself and my methods of…"
description: "\"When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, p..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c22/albert-einstein-33_imagination_when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of_2172093.jpg"
---

#  When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to…

![“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c22/albert-einstein-33_imagination_when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of_2172093.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c22/albert-einstein-33_imagination_when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of_2172093.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c22/albert-einstein-33_imagination_when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of_2172093.jpg)

> “When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.”

[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 values imaginative thinking over purely logical reasoning, seeing fantasy as a deeper source of insight.

**In simple terms:** Imagination matters more than logical thought.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate imagination.

Themes

creativity imagination thought philosophy

Mood

reflective inspired

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- writing
- problem solving
- artistic creation
- scientific research

Key Concepts

cognitive science psychology innovation

Questions to Reflect On

- How does imagination influence your daily decisions?
- Can logical thinking replace creative insight?

A Different Perspective

Imagination may lack concrete evidence and be hard to measure.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Fantasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Positive thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-thinking/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/)

## Related quotes

> [When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of-thought-i-come-to-the-2/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-gift-of-fantasy-has-meant-more-to-me-than-my-talent-for-absorbing/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of-thought-i-come-to-the-3/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [“That you are a born again Christian does not mean you will automatically succeed except you follow God's principles. Never forget faith without good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patience-johnson/that-you-are-a-born-again-christian-does-not-mean-you-will/)

[Patience Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patience-johnson/)

> [The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-true-sign-of-intelligence-is-not-knowledge-but-imagination/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [Think outside the box.I think that there is no box at all.Let your creativity,thoughts and imagination fly...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewshycrazyness/think-outside-the-box-i-think-that-there-is-no-box-at-all-let-your/)

[EwshyCrazyness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewshycrazyness/)

> [Always end a day with a positive thought. No matter how hard things were, tomorrow is a fresh opportunity to make it better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/always-end-a-day-with-a-positive-thought-no-matter-how-hard-things/)

[Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/)

> [Do not confuse fantasy with imagination; the former consumes itself in daydreaming, the latter stimulates creativity in the arts and in the sciences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fausto-cercignani/do-not-confuse-fantasy-with-imagination-the-former-consumes-itself-in/)

[Fausto Cercignani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fausto-cercignani/)

> [In my early teens, science fiction and fantasy had an almost-total hold over my imagination. Their outcast status was part of their appeal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hari-kunzru/in-my-early-teens-science-fiction-and-fantasy-had-an-almost-total/)

[Hari Kunzru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hari-kunzru/)

> [I've put my days of fantasy behind me and make authentic realistic films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-bhatt/i-ve-put-my-days-of-fantasy-behind-me-and-make-authentic-realistic/)

[Vikram Bhatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-bhatt/)

> [It was the first time I realized that absolute reality could be so much more fun than fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-lohan/it-was-the-first-time-i-realized-that-absolute-reality-could-be-so/)

[Lindsay Lohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-lohan/)

> [I like to maintain a certain sense of fantasy in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lopez/i-like-to-maintain-a-certain-sense-of-fantasy-in-my-life/)

[Jennifer Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lopez/)

> [“It is easy to confuse a fantasy for a reality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duop-chak-wuol/it-is-easy-to-confuse-a-fantasy-for-a-reality/)

Duop Chak Wuol

> [I don't like sci-fi/fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-feldman/i-don-t-like-sci-fi-fantasy/)

[Ben Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-feldman/)

> [I like fantasy, but I don't live and breathe fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/i-like-fantasy-but-i-don-t-live-and-breathe-fantasy/)

[Lauren Schmidt Hissrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/)

## 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 Fantasy quotes

> [“I am awake. I know what you took. I am coming for you. Vengeance is mine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-burks/i-am-awake-i-know-what-you-took-i-am-coming-for-you-vengeance-is-mine/)

[Robin Burks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-burks/)

> [I avoided nudity unless a film couldn't be told without those scenes. If you look at my films, few of them have that element,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-scacchi/i-avoided-nudity-unless-a-film-couldn-t-be-told-without-those-scenes/)

[Greta Scacchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-scacchi/)

> [We don't make glamorous movies today. Everything now is very realistic, artistic - and depressing. When is the last time you you saw a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-head/we-don-t-make-glamorous-movies-today-everything-now-is-very-realistic/)

[Edith Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-head/)

> [I like fantasy, but I don't live and breathe fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/i-like-fantasy-but-i-don-t-live-and-breathe-fantasy/)

[Lauren Schmidt Hissrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/)

> [“Metal makes everything magical. Just ask a unicorn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sybrina-durant/metal-makes-everything-magical-just-ask-a-unicorn/)

[Sybrina Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sybrina-durant/)

> [“(Evil people) do not believe in forgiveness. Their transgressions are either punished or not punished. That is the only result that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mchugh/evil-people-do-not-believe-in-forgiveness-their-transgressions-are/)

[Daniel McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mchugh/)

> [My first three manuscripts were epic fantasy - like high fantasy - and then the fourth one was a historical fantasy about Mozart as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-lu/my-first-three-manuscripts-were-epic-fantasy-like-high-fantasy-and/)

[Marie Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-lu/)

> [I'm a geek - I read fantasy novels, I play 'World of Warcraft,' I'm a massive gamer, I have 'Star Trek' outfits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kazinsky/i-m-a-geek-i-read-fantasy-novels-i-play-world-of-warcraft-i-m-a/)

[Robert Kazinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kazinsky/)

> [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/)

[Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/)

> [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/)

[Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/)

> [I like to play people that are real, a real person, and then something that's interesting with that person. I think it's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-bostick/i-like-to-play-people-that-are-real-a-real-person-and-then-something/)

[Devon Bostick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-bostick/)

> [It's a hindrance in trying to get a serious acting role. The minute a producer has a script and my name comes up, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbi-benton/it-s-a-hindrance-in-trying-to-get-a-serious-acting-role-the-minute-a/)

[Barbi Benton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbi-benton/)

> [No one will ever write a fantasy novel better than The Hobbit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-one-will-ever-write-a-fantasy-novel-better-than-the-hobbit/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I've always loved sci-fi and fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-ve-always-loved-sci-fi-and-fantasy/)

[Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/)

> [“I will always be within reach if you need me, little one...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-von/i-will-always-be-within-reach-if-you-need-me-little-one/)

[A.R. Von](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-von/)

[Browse all 5,469 Fantasy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Albert Einstein"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of-thought-i-come-to-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Fantasy"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of-thought-i-come-to-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c22/albert-einstein-33_imagination_when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of_2172093.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c22/albert-einstein-33_imagination_when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of_2172093.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c22/albert-einstein-33_imagination_when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of_2172093.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant…” — 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": "When I examine myself and my...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of-thought-i-come-to-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/when-i-examine-myself-and-my-methods-of-thought-i-come-to-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
