In case my life should end with the cannibals, I hope they will write on my tombstone, ‘We have eaten Dr. Schweitzer. He was good to the end.’
At 20 everyone has the face that God gave them, at 40 the face that life gave them, and at 60 the face they earned.
The only ones who will find real happiness are those who find a way to serve.
We all know how important love is, yet how often is it really emoted or exhibited? What so many sick people in this world suffer from-loneliness, boredom and fear-can’t be cured with a pill.
Constant Kindness can accomplish much.
Even if it is a little thing, do something for those who have need of help.
Those who experiment on animals should never be able to quiet their own conscience by telling themselves that these cruelties have a worthy aim.
Knowing all truth is less than doing a little bit of good.
The city of truth cannot be built on the swampy ground of skepticism.
Ethics are complete, profound and alive only when addressed to all living beings. Only then are we in spiritual connection with the world. Any philosophy not representing this, not based on the indefinite totality of life, is bound to disappear.
What has been presented as Christianity during these nineteen centuries is only a beginning, full of mistakes, not full blown Christianity springing from the spirit of Jesus.
There is within each of us a modulation, an inner exaltation, which lifts us above the buffetings with which events assail us. Likewise, it lifts us above dependence upon the gifts of events for our joy.
One truth stands firm. All that happens in world history rests on something spiritual. If the spiritual is strong, it creates world history. If it is weak, it suffers world history.
Man’s ethics must not end with man, but should extend to the universe. He must regain the consciousness of the great Chain of Life from which he cannot be separated.
Our age is bent on trying to make the barren tree of skepticism fruitful by tying the fruits of truth on its branches.
Whoever is spared personal pain must feel himself called to help in diminishing the pain of others. We must all carry our share of the misery which lies upon the world.
Very little of the great cruelty shown by men can really be attributed to cruel instinct. Most of it comes from thoughtlessness or inherited habit. Extract from ‘Memories of childhood and youth.’
One person can and does make a difference.
Good is that which promotes life, evil is that which destroys life.
The awareness that we are all human beings together has become lost in war and through politics.
Man can hardly even recognize the devils of his own creation.