Quotes from Albert Schweitzer

Der unnatürliche Zustand, daß der Mensch nicht an eine von ihm selber erkannte Wahrheit glaubt, dauert an und wirkt sich aus. Die Stadt der Wahrheit kann nicht auf dem Sumpfboden des Skeptizismus erbaut werden.

By itself the affirmation of life can only produce a partial and imperfect civilization. Only if it turns inward and becomes ethical can the will to progress attain the ability to distinguish the valuable from the worthless. We must therefore strive for a civilization that is not based on the accretion of science and power alone, but which cares most of all for the spiritual and ethical development of the individual and of humankind. How

Die Welt ist nicht nur Geschehen, sondern auch Leben.

Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it.

Anyone who proposes to do good must not expect people to roll any stones out of his way, and must calmly accept his lot even if they roll a few more into it.

Wer sich vornimmt, Gutes zu wirken, darf nicht erwarten, dass die Menschen ihm deswegen Steine aus dem Weg räumen, sondern muss auf das Schicksalshafte gefasst sein, dass sie ihm welche daraufrollen.

Wer unter uns durch das, was er erlebt hat, wissend geworden ist über Schmerz und Angst, muß mithelfen, daß denen draußen in leiblicher Not Hilfe zuteil werde, wie sie ihm widerfuhr. Er gehört nicht mehr ganz sich selber an, sondern ist Bruder all derer geworden, die leiden. (Aus meinem Leben und Denken, S. 145)

The only ones among us who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.

When people have light in themselves, it will shine out from them. Then we get to know each other as we walk together in the darkness, without needing to pass our hands over each other's faces, or to intrude into each other's hearts

We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.

Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being.

If you love something so much let it go. If it comes back it was meant to be; if it doesn't it never was

Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.

Eventually all things fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moments, and know EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON.

We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. True humanity does not allow us to impose such sufferings on them. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace.

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.

Joy, sorrow, tears, lamentation, laughter -- to all these music gives voice, but in such a way that we are transported from the world of unrest to a world of peace, and see reality in a new way, as if we were sitting by a mountain lake and contemplating hills and woods and clouds in the tranquil and fathomless water.

I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.

Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.

We are all so much together, but we are all dying of loneliness.

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

The only thing of importance, when we depart, will be the traces of love we have left behind.