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
answer hoping knowledge optimistic pessimist question whether willing
To the question whether I am a pessimist or an optimist, I answer that my knowledge is pessimistic, but my willing and hoping are optimistic
love knowledge-of-god foundation
It is only through love that we can attain to communion with God. All living knowledge of God rests upon this foundation: that we experience him in our lives as Will-to-love.
cannot describe detail enabling grasp knowledge matters meaning progress purpose
The only progress that knowledge allows is in enabling us to describe more and more in detail the world we see and its evolution. What matters in a world-view is to grasp the meaning and purpose of everything, and that we cannot do.
learning knowledge intelligence
As we acquire knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible, but more mysterious.
wisdom knowledge decision
The highest knowledge is to know that we are surrounded by mystery. Neither knowledge nor hope for the future can be the pivot of our life or determine its direction. It is intended to be solely determined by our allowing ourselves to be gripped by the ethical God, who reveals Himself in us, and by our yielding our will to His.
acquire knowledge
As we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible, but more mysterious.
difficult ethic love task
To think out in every implication the ethic of love for all creation... this is the difficult task which confronts our age.
actual hour indeed seems special time truly truth unsuitable
Truth has not special time of its own. Its hour is now—always and indeed then most truly when it seems unsuitable to actual circumstances.
kindness freedom compassion
Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind.
fun clever men
Man is a clever animal who behaves like an imbecile.
cat animal vegetarianism
Anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless is in danger of arriving also at the idea of worthless human lives.
war realization matter
What really matters is that we should all of us realize that we are guilty of inhumanity. The horror of this realization should shakes us out of our lethargy so that we can direct our hopes and our intentions to the coming of an era in which war will have no place.
sacrifice humanity being-sad
Humanitarianism consists in never sacrificing a human being to a purpose.
time special hours
Truth has not special time of its own. Its hour is now - always and, indeed then most truly, when it seems unsuitable to actual circumstances.