A grieving father named Robert S. Marcus — then-Political Director of the World Jewish Congress — was the recipient of the following letter of condolence in 1950, not long after his son succumbed to polio. It was written by Albert Einstein.

Transcript follows. Image courtesy of On Being.

Transcript

February 12, 1950 Dear Mr. Marcus: A human being is a part of the whole, called by us “Universe”, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest — a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. The striving to free oneself from this delusion is the one issue of true religion. Not to nourish the delusion but to try to overcome it is the way to reach the attainable measure of peace of mind. With my best wishes,

sincerely yours, Albert Einstein. Mr. Robert S.Marcus

World Jewish Congress

1834 Broadway

New York 23,N.Y.