youzicha

David Hockney

In 1925, Einstein went on a walk with a young student named Esther Salaman. As they wandered, he shared his core guiding intellectual principle: "I want to know how God created this world. I'm not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts; the rest are just details."

that's what I remember from when I tried to find a source for this quote. It's not something Einstein wrote, it's someone's recollection that he said soemthing more or less like this

Anyway, I'm interested in the spectrum of this or that element. That's always been metaphorically true of me, and for the last few years since I switched to quantum chemistry, it's literally true... well, not elements, but it's literally true that I'm interested in the spectrum of this or that molecule. Remembered this quote this morning while reading a paper in the cafe, after writing "50 nm shift between isomers!" on a graph of spectra.

"He made pantries Of Vaux and Arden And the village gentry's Kitchen-garden. Fruits within yards Were his staples; He drank whole vineyards From Rome to Naples, Then went to Brittany For the cider. He could sit any Horse, a rider Outstripping Cheiron's Canter and gallop. Pau's environs The pubs of Salop, Wells and Bath inns Shared his pleasure With taverns of Athens..."

And there's an even more technically brilliant variation of this, which is exemplified in McGinley's "Lesson for Beginners." I'm going to transcribe the whole poem, because (though it's a bit glib), I have rarely found its equal for marrying verve and musicality to keeping on topic and not wandering into rhyme for rhyme's sake.

LESSON FOR BEGINNERS by Phyllis McGinley

Martin of Tours, When he earned his shilling Trooping the flags Of the Roman Guard, Came on a poor, Aching and chilling Beggar in rags By the barracks yard. Blind to his lack, The Guard went riding. But Martin a moment Paused and drew The coat from his back, His sword from hiding, And sabered his raiment Into two.