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Einstein's Note On Happiness, Given To Bellboy In 1922, Fetches $1.6 Million (theguardian.com)

Posted by msmash on from the dispatch dept.

A note that Albert Einstein gave to a courier in Tokyo briefly describing his theory on happy living has sold at auction in Jerusalem for $1.56m, according to auctioneers. From a report: The winning bid for the note far exceeded the pre-auction estimate of between $5,000 and $8,000, according to Winner's auctions. "It was an all-time record for an auction of a document in Israel," said Winner's spokesman Meni Chadad, adding that the buyer was a European who wished to remain anonymous. The note, on Imperial Hotel Tokyo stationery, says in German that "a quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest." "I am really happy that there are people out there who are still interested in science and history and timeless deliveries in a world which is developing so fast," the seller said on condition of anonymity after the sale.

9 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. So, the note about "modest living" by Dutch+Gun · · Score: 5, Funny

    Einstein's note, advocating "modest living", sells for an insane amount at an auction that only the uber-rich could possibly afford. The irony is palpable.

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    Irony: Agile development has too much intertia to be abandoned now.
    1. Re:So, the note about "modest living" by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It does not matter, the important thing is the words and their meaning.

      “A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest.”

      I just made a copy above, for free.

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      #DeleteFacebook
    2. Re:So, the note about "modest living" by NicknameUnavailable · · Score: 5, Funny

      I thought the important thing was that Einstein proved you can get out of tipping the service by writing them a note talking about how they should want less.

    3. Re:So, the note about "modest living" by gnick · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's cute how Americans think tipping is a standard, socially required thing in the rest of the world.

      I think that most Americans are aware that it's an American thing. What else are we supposed to do? Pay everyone working full time enough to live? Even waiters and doormen? If they wanted to eat, they should have become engineers.

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      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    4. Re:So, the note about "modest living" by gnick · · Score: 2

      But your copy has no monetary value...

      Every copy has the same monetary value as the original. Source? The MPAA's piracy damage estimates.

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      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
  2. Slightly related trivia... by Type44Q · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Trivia for architecture geeks and/or enthusiasts of Japanese history: the Imperial Hotel (torn down in '67) was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and was one of the only buildings to remain standing after the Great Kanto Earthquake devastated Tokyo. more here.

    1. Re:Slightly related trivia... by 110010001000 · · Score: 2

      I guarantee the roof leaked though.

  3. Get it in writing by T.E.D. · · Score: 2

    This is why people get irate when you give advice as a "tip". That's totally inconsiderate ... unless you write it down.

  4. Happiness is relative by Alain+Williams · · Score: 2

    even with similar life rewards (good health, nice home, good spouse & kids, ...) those living the slow, rural life will tend to be happier than a frenetic, fast living city dweller.