A human being is 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.

This

delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal
desires and to affection for a few persons

nearest to us.

Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our
circle of compassion

to embrace all living creatures and the whole of
nature in its beauty.

Albert Einstein