Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer, OMwas a French-German theologian, organist, philosopher, and physician. He was born in the province of Alsace-Lorraine and although that region had been annexed by the German Empire four years earlier, and remained a German possession until 1918, he considered himself French and wrote mostly in French...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionDoctor
Date of Birth14 January 1875
CityKaysersberg, France
CountryGermany
civilization balance disturbed
The disastrous feature of our civilization is that it is far more developed materially than spiritually. Its balance is disturbed.
mean views world
What the activity of this disposition of ours means in the evolution of the world, we do not know. Nor can we regulate this activity from outside; we must leave entirely to each individual its shaping and its extension. From every point of view, then, world- and life-affirmation and ethics are non-rational, and we must have the courage to admit it.
might
Do something good and someone might imitate it.
progress debate strikes
When we observe contemporary society one thing strikes us. We debate but make no progress. Why? Because as peoples we do not yet trust each other.
organization government conscience
We cannot abdicate our conscience to an organization, nor to a government.
men united
We are united with all life that is in nature. Man can no longer live his life for himself alone.
gone world helping
The greatest living person in the world is some individual who at this very moment has gone in love to help another.
guidance difficult difficult-things
The most difficult thing I have ever had to do is follow the guidance I prayed for.
achievement reverence-for-life direct
Reverence for life, veneratio vitæ, is the most direct and at the same time the profoundest achievement of my will-to-live.
mind institutions function
Only when an ideal of peace is born in the minds of the peoples will the institutions set up to maintain this peace effectively fulfill the function expected of them.
animal sacred plant
Don't stop to ask whether the animal or plant you meet deserves your sympathy, or how much it feels, or even whether it can feel at all: respect it and consider all life sacred.
spiritual thinking self
Rational thinking which is free from assumptions ends therefore in mysticism. To relate oneself in the spirit of reverence for life to the multiform manifestations of the will-to-live which together constitute the world is ethical mysticism. All profound world-view is mysticism, the essence of which is just this: that out of my unsophisticated and naïve existence in the world there comes, as a result of thought about self and the world, spiritual self-devotion to the mysterious infinite Will which is continuously manifested in the universe.
volunteer parent support
It is not enough to merely exist. It's not enough to say, 'I'm earning enough to live and support my family. I do my work well. I'm a good parent.' That's all very well. But you must do something more.
men thinking matter
The thinking man must oppose all cruelties no matter how deeply rooted in tradition or surrounded by a halo.