top of page

Einstein Surprises His Students

Imagine, one of the greatest minds of all time, making a simple mathematical error.


Albert Einstein

One day Albert Einstein wrote on the board:


9 x 1 = 9


9 x 2 = 18


9 x 3 = 27


9 x 4 = 36


9 x 5 = 45


9 x 6 = 54


9 x 7 = 63


9 x 8 = 72


9 x 9 = 81


9 x 10 = 91


The chaos started almost immediately in the lecture hall because Einstein made a mistake. This was Einstein! How could this genius get such a simple equation wrong? There was laughter amid the astonishment.


Einstein waited for everyone to be silent. He had a powerful lesson he wished to impart to his students.


"Despite the fact that I analyzed nine problems correctly, no one congratulated me. But when I made one mistake, everyone started laughing. This means that even if a person is successful, society will notice his slightest mistake. And they'll like that. So don't let criticism destroy your dreams. The only person who never makes a mistake is someone who does nothing.”


While the authenticity of this story about Albert Einstein cannot be confirmed, it does not change the fact that it is a lesson worth remembering.

bottom of page