The Most Important Advice Received by Historical Figures

Albert Einstein: Question Everything

Albert Einstein, the renowned theoretical physicist known for his theory of relativity, reportedly once received advice from his father to "question everything." This piece of wisdom encouraged Einstein to challenge prevailing thought and spurred his relentless curiosity, a key driver behind his groundbreaking discoveries. The idea that nothing should be accepted without critical examination became a foundational principle in his life and work.

Martin Luther King Jr.: Stand for What's Right

Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic civil rights leader, was greatly influenced by the advice of his mentor, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays. Mays, a minister and educator, instilled in King the principle of standing up for what's right, no matter the cost. This advice greatly shaped King's approach to civil rights and inspired him to lead the movement with unwavering courage and conviction.

Eleanor Roosevelt: Do What You Think You Cannot Do

Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States and an ardent human rights activist, was once advised by her mother-in-law, Sara Delano Roosevelt, to "do the thing you think you cannot do." This counsel helped Eleanor overcome self-doubt and fear, enabling her to champion numerous social causes and leave a lasting legacy of progress and reform.

Nelson Mandela: Lead from the Back

Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid activist and South Africa's first Black president, was guided by the advice of a tribal elder who once told him to "lead from the back." This notion of leading by serving others underpinned Mandela's transformative leadership style. It encouraged him to value the perspectives of all members of his society and allowed him to guide his nation toward unity and healing.

Thomas Edison: Learn from Failure

Thomas Edison, the prolific inventor, was reportedly told by his mother, "Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." This encouragement to learn from failure rather than be disheartened by it played a significant role in Edison's approach to invention. It propelled him to keep experimenting despite numerous setbacks, ultimately leading to many groundbreaking inventions.

Marie Curie: Persevere in the Face of Adversity

Marie Curie, the renowned scientist and two-time Nobel laureate, received the advice to "persevere in the face of adversity" from her father, a teacher of mathematics and physics. This guidance fostered in Curie a resilience that saw her through countless challenges, allowing her to make pioneering contributions to the field of physics and chemistry, despite the societal barriers she faced as a woman in science.

Mahatma Gandhi: Live as if You Were to Die Tomorrow

Finally, Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule, was profoundly influenced by the phrase "Live as if you were to die tomorrow." This counsel, derived from various sources, encouraged Gandhi to live with urgency, to prioritize what was truly important, and to commit himself fully to the cause of India's independence.

Each of these historical figures, guided by the wisdom they received, left an indelible mark on the world. Their stories remind us that advice, however simple, can have a profound influence on our lives and the impact we make.