Albert Einstein’s Elegant Theory of Happiness: It Just Sold for $1.6 Million at Auction, But You Can Use It for Free

Albert Einstein had a theory of general relativity. Turns out, he had a theory of happiness, too.

While traveling in Japan in 1922, Einstein learned that he had won the Nobel Prize. Suddenly the object of unwanted publicity, he secluded himself inside the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. And while there, explains NPR, “a courier came to the door to make a delivery.” In lieu of giving the courier a small tip, Einstein handed the courier two handwritten notes, one of which read: “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.”‘

Einstein also gave the bellhop another useful piece of advice: Don’t lose those handwritten notes. They might be worth something someday.

Sure enough, Einstein’s scrawled theory of happiness sold for $1.6 million at an auction on Tuesday.

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