“Any religion or philosophy which is not based on a respect for life is not a true religion or philosophy.”

— Albert Schweitzer, Letter to a Japanese Animal Welfare Society, 1961

About Albert Schweitzer

1875 – 1965

Alsatian theologian, physician and missionary, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize (1952).

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

“The historical Jesus will be to our time a stranger and an enigma.”

“Modern Christianity must always reckon with the possibility of having to abandon the historical figure of Jesus.”

“The wise man will live as long as he ought, not as long as he can.”

“The universe is flux, life is opinion.”

“The young have exalted notions, because they have not been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations.”

“I want to know whether I can live with what I know and with that alone.”

“When Life does not find a singer to sing her heart she produces a philosopher to speak her mind.”

“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.”