ALBERT SCHWEITZER was a medical missionary who served in Africa. He gave up his comfortable life in Europe and went to Gabon with his wife, Helen, to help people needing medical attention. In 1953, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Some of Schweitzer’s most memorable words of wisdom:
Man must regain consciousness of the great chain of life, from which he cannot be separated. He must understand that every creation has its value.
Some institutions fail when the spirit of barbarism is at work.
We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat animals. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace!
The only people who will find genuine happiness are those who know how to serve.
He who does not reflect his life in gratitude back to God does not know himself.
A thinking person must oppose all cruel customs, no matter how deeply rooted in tradition they are.
Everyone must work to live—but, the purpose of life is to serve and show compassion. Only then can we consider ourselves true human beings.
If man loses the capacity to foresee and forestall, he will end up destroying the world.
We must help carry out God’s will in this world.
Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full depth if it embraces all living creatures—and does not limit itself to mankind!
E-mail pdilotuspond@ gmail.com.