If relativity is proved right the Germans will call me a German, the Swiss will call me a Swiss citizen, and the French will call me a great scientist. If relativity is proved wrong the French will call me a Swiss, the Swiss will call me a German and the Germans will call me a Jew.(如果相对论被证明是对的,德国人会说我是德国人,瑞士人会说我是瑞士公民,法国人会说我是大科学家。如果相对论被证明是错的,法国人会叫我瑞士佬,瑞士人会叫我德国佬,德国会叫我犹太佬。)
爱因斯坦在1918年6月7日的一封信中还说:
I am by heritage a Jew, by citizenship a Swiss, and by makeup a human being, and only a human being, without any special attachment to any state or national entity whatsoever.