62 Albert Schweitzer Quotes (On Life, Gratitude, Service)

By Maxime Lagacé

Maxime is the founder of WisdomQuotes. He has been collecting quotes since 2004. His goal? To help you develop a calm and peaceful mind. Learn more about him on his about page.

Top 10 Quotes – Life – Gratitude – Service – Success – Takeaways – Visual – Further Readings

Here are 62 of the best Albert Schweitzer quotes ever.

What will you learn from him?

How to find success
How to find happiness
The importance of service and humility

But who was Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)?

He was a German-born, French polymath from Alsace
He was also a theologian, organist, musicologist, writer, humanitarian, philosopher, and physician
He was a Nobel Peace Prize winner

I hope you’ll love his quotes about life, gratitude, service, and success, as much as I did.

Enjoy!

Top 10 Albert Schweitzer Quotes

My life is my argument. Albert Schweitzer

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

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

Do something wonderful, people may imitate it. Albert Schweitzer

Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier. Albert Schweitzer

There is no higher religion than human service. Albert Schweitzer

To work for the common good is the greatest creed. Albert Schweitzer

The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives. Albert Schweitzer

For those who sincerely seek the truth should not fear the outcome. Albert Schweitzer

Do something for somebody everyday for which you do not get paid. Albert Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer Quotes About Life

I am life which wants to live admidst of lives that want to live. Albert Schweitzer

An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while the pessimist sees only the red stoplight. The truly wise person is colorblind. Albert Schweitzer

Eventually all things fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moments, and know everything happens for a reason. Albert Schweitzer

The thinking person must oppose all cruel customs, no matter how deeply rooted in tradition and surrounded by a halo. When we have a choice, we must avoid bringing torment and injury into the life of another. Albert Schweitzer

Only those who respect the personality of others can be of real use to them. Albert Schweitzer

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. Albert Schweitzer

The only escapes from the miseries of life are music and cats. Albert Schweitzer

Any religion or philosophy which is not based on a respect for life is not a true religion or philosophy. Albert Schweitzer

If you study life deeply, its profundity will seize you suddenly with dizziness. Albert Schweitzer

Not one of us knows what effect his life produces, and what he gives to others; that is hidden from us and must remain so, though we are often allowed to see some little fraction of it, so that we may not lose courage. Albert Schweitzer

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

It’s supposed to be a secret, but I’ll tell you anyway. We doctors do nothing. We only help. And encourage the doctor within. Albert Schweitzer

No ray of sunlight is ever lost, but the green which it awakes into existence needs time to sprout, and it is not always granted to the sower to see the harvest. All work that is worth anything is done in faith. Albert Schweitzer

Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He will end by destroying the earth. Albert Schweitzer

If you own something you cannot give away, then you don’t own it, it owns you. Albert Schweitzer

The path of awakening is not about becoming who you are. Rather it is about unbecoming who you are not. Albert Schweitzer

Pain is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself. Albert Schweitzer

Every patient carries her or his own doctor inside. Albert Schweitzer

The doctor of the future will be oneself. Albert Schweitzer

Related

Albert Schweitzer Quotes About Gratitude

Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude. Albert Schweitzer

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. Albert Schweitzer

The greatest thing is to give thanks for everything. He who has learned this knows what it means to live. He has penetrated the whole mystery of life: giving thanks for everything. Albert Schweitzer

To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted. Albert Schweitzer

By having a reverence for life, we enter into a spiritual relation with the world. By practicing reverence for life we become good, deep, and alive. Albert Schweitzer

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. Albert Schweitzer

There can be no Kingdom of God in the world without the Kingdom of God in our hearts. Albert Schweitzer

Ethics is nothing else than reverence for life. Albert Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer Quotes About Service, Kindness

The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others. Albert Schweitzer

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 will have sought and found how to serve. Albert Schweitzer

No man need fear death, he need fear only that he may die without having known his greatest power: the power of his free will to give his life for others. Albert Schweitzer

Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in a world all of your own. Albert Schweitzer

One person can and does make a difference. Albert Schweitzer

The first step in the evolution of ethics is a sense of solidarity with other human beings. Albert Schweitzer

There slowly grew up in me an unshakable conviction that we have no right to inflict suffering and death on another living creature, unless there is some unavoidable necessity for it. Albert Schweitzer

Even if it is a little thing, do something for those who have need of help. Albert Schweitzer

Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. For remember, you don’t live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too. Albert Schweitzer

Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. Albert Schweitzer

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

At that point in life where your talent meets the needs of the world, that is where God wants you to be. Albert Schweitzer

Animal protection is education to the humanity. Albert Schweitzer

Knowing all truth is less than doing a little bit of good. Albert Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer Quotes About Success

The great secret of success is to go through life as a man who never gets used up. Albert Schweitzer

One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity. Albert Schweitzer

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

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. Albert Schweitzer

A good example has twice the value of good advice. Albert Schweitzer

Do not lose heart, even if you must wait a bit before finding the right thing. Be prepared for disappointment also, but do not abandon the quest. Albert Schweitzer

Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will – his personal responsibility in the realm of faith and morals. Albert Schweitzer

To me, good health is more than just exercise and diet. Its really a point of view and a mental attitude you have about yourself. Albert Schweitzer

Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing. Albert Schweitzer

Example is leadership. Albert Schweitzer

Key Takeaways

Reverence for life. Like Schweitzer, respect all living beings: animals, plants, friends, family, neighbors, etc. This way, you’ll find purpose and promote a more harmonious world. “By practicing reverence for life we become good, deep, and alive”
Service to others. Schweitzer dedicated his life to serving others, particularly through his medical work in Africa. He demonstrated that true fulfillment comes from helping those in need. “If you truly desire happiness, seek and learn how to serve”
Be the example. Schweitzer believed the only way to influence others was by being the example. So don’t waste time trying to convince others through arguments. Be who you want others to be. “My life is my argument” “Do something wonderful, people may imitate it”
Humility and simplicity. Despite his many achievements, Schweitzer lived a life of humility and simplicity. He focused on what was truly important, avoiding the distractions of fame and material wealth. “The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion”
Perseverance in adversity. Schweitzer faced numerous challenges, including criticism, financial difficulties, and health issues. Yet, he persevered in his mission to serve others. “The great secret of success is to go through life as a man who never gets used up”