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Reverence for Life: The Words of Albert Schweitzer
ALBERT SCHWEITZER (1875-1965) was an Alsatian theologian, musician, and medical missionary. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952.
"I cannot but have Reverence for all that is called life. I cannot avoid compassion for everything that is called life. That is the beginning and foundation of morality. "' Albert Schweitzer spanning many decades and a host of topics, this rich collection of the words of Albert Schweitzer offers a glimpse into the life and thought of an eminent humanitarian.
"I cannot but have Reverence for all that is called life. I cannot avoid compassion for everything that is called life. That is the beginning and foundation of morality. "' Albert Schweitzer spanning many decades and a host of topics, this rich collection of the words of Albert Schweitzer offers a glimpse into the life and thought of an eminent humanitarian.
"Reverence for Life" was Schweitzer's unifying term for a concept of ethics. He believed that such an ethic would reconcile the drives of altruism and egoism by requiring a respect for the lives of all other beings and by demanding the highest development of an individual's resources. The thread of this inspirational belief appears throughout his deeply insightful writings. Excerpts from previously(continued from front flap)unpublished letters to John F. Kennedy, Norman Cousins, Bertrand Russell, and others show how truly committed Schweitzer was to creating a global consciousness and cultivating a dignity toward all people. A foreword by Schweitzer's daughter, Rhena Schweitzer Miller, an introduction by the editor, and a brief biographical sketch of Schweitzer's life round out this stunning collection of quotations.
124 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1965
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About the author
Albert Schweitzer
490 books349 followersAlbert Schweitzer, M.D., OM, was an Alsatian theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician. He was born in Kaisersberg in Alsace-Lorraine, a Germanophone region which the German Empire returned to France after World War I. Schweitzer challenged both the secular view of historical Jesus current at his time and the traditional Christian view, depicting a Jesus who expected the imminent end of the world. He received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for his philosophy of "reverence for life", expressed in many ways, but most famously in founding and sustaining the Lambaréné Hospital in Gabon, west central Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 29, 2008
To Schweitzer, primitive people care only for their blood relations. More spiritually evolved people feel responsible for all human beings. He offers examples (Jesus, Paul, Lao-tzu, Isaiah, etc).
He compares various faiths under the lens of humanitarianism, dividing religions into those which negate the world and those which affirm the world, examining the implications of each approach on the degree of worldly activity it entails. This may sound abstract -- to clarify, I'll mention one example: from this vantage, he rejects the great Indian traditions (Brahmanism, Jainism, Buddhism) as a basis for ethical action. This is by definition -- they cannot serve as a basis for ethical action, since they culminate in inaction.
In a very brief outline of the development of ethics, he sweeps through the Greco-Romans, Hebrews, early Christians, Erasmus, Bentham, Hume, Kant.
He concludes that ethics cannot be rigorously supported by a philosophical framework. Any attempt to justify altruism is logically flawed. It is entirely subjective. Science leads us to understand more of the physical universe, but in such a way as to strip its human meaning. Ethics is irreconcilable with observations of a predatory phenomenal world. [Note: Schweitzer's invocation of survival of the fittest here does not gibe with Darwin's original concept, and our modern understanding, of the workings of ecosystems, predicated on survival of the fittest _within a fitting ecological niche_. That is, there is great inter-individual competition but ultimately an elegant inter-species cooperation, the spirit of which might be close to what Schweitzer is attempting to articulate.]
Schweitzer claims that the culmination of the search for a rigorous underpinning to ethics results in the realization that all creatures are common in their will to live, so "Goodness is: preserve life, promote life, help life achieve its highest destiny. The essence of Evil is: Destroy life, harm life, hamper the development of life." Hence, the title of the book. The point seems to be that, in his opinion, soul-searching for the core of altruism will lead one to revere life for its own sake, including non-human life. This reverence should permeate all our actions.
From what I could tell, this is essentially no more than his passionate opinion. I found the arguments to be loose and unconvincing, simply a discursive description of the author's compassionate frame of mind. Still, it is impressive to hear a profoundly good person describe the nature of his compassion. Reading beyond the somewhat rambling message, beyond to the man himself, I found myself musing on recent small compromises and personal pettiness, by contrast with Schweitzer's will and heart.
Anyone inclined toward the environmental and animal welfare movements will find a champion in Schweitzer, who stressed the interdependence and unity of all life. However, his autobiography, "Out of My Life and Thought", would probably be a better introduction to him and his philosophy
He compares various faiths under the lens of humanitarianism, dividing religions into those which negate the world and those which affirm the world, examining the implications of each approach on the degree of worldly activity it entails. This may sound abstract -- to clarify, I'll mention one example: from this vantage, he rejects the great Indian traditions (Brahmanism, Jainism, Buddhism) as a basis for ethical action. This is by definition -- they cannot serve as a basis for ethical action, since they culminate in inaction.
In a very brief outline of the development of ethics, he sweeps through the Greco-Romans, Hebrews, early Christians, Erasmus, Bentham, Hume, Kant.
He concludes that ethics cannot be rigorously supported by a philosophical framework. Any attempt to justify altruism is logically flawed. It is entirely subjective. Science leads us to understand more of the physical universe, but in such a way as to strip its human meaning. Ethics is irreconcilable with observations of a predatory phenomenal world. [Note: Schweitzer's invocation of survival of the fittest here does not gibe with Darwin's original concept, and our modern understanding, of the workings of ecosystems, predicated on survival of the fittest _within a fitting ecological niche_. That is, there is great inter-individual competition but ultimately an elegant inter-species cooperation, the spirit of which might be close to what Schweitzer is attempting to articulate.]
Schweitzer claims that the culmination of the search for a rigorous underpinning to ethics results in the realization that all creatures are common in their will to live, so "Goodness is: preserve life, promote life, help life achieve its highest destiny. The essence of Evil is: Destroy life, harm life, hamper the development of life." Hence, the title of the book. The point seems to be that, in his opinion, soul-searching for the core of altruism will lead one to revere life for its own sake, including non-human life. This reverence should permeate all our actions.
From what I could tell, this is essentially no more than his passionate opinion. I found the arguments to be loose and unconvincing, simply a discursive description of the author's compassionate frame of mind. Still, it is impressive to hear a profoundly good person describe the nature of his compassion. Reading beyond the somewhat rambling message, beyond to the man himself, I found myself musing on recent small compromises and personal pettiness, by contrast with Schweitzer's will and heart.
Anyone inclined toward the environmental and animal welfare movements will find a champion in Schweitzer, who stressed the interdependence and unity of all life. However, his autobiography, "Out of My Life and Thought", would probably be a better introduction to him and his philosophy
January 23, 2021
“We never acknowledge the absolute mysterious character of nature, but always speak so confidently of explaining her, whereas all that we have really done is to go into fuller and more complicated descriptions, which only make the mysterious more mysterious than ever.”
“The spirit of the age loves dissonance, in tones, in lines and in thought. That shows how far from thinking it is, for thinking is a harmony within us.”
Intriguing title; intriguing work. First published in 1965, it draws on Schweitzer’s life as a medical missionary in what is now the nation of Gabon. He lived his philosophy, though some will find his words and actions out of step with current style, even allowing for his age.
“Every ethic has something of the absolute about it, just as soon as it ceases to be mere social law. It demands of one what is actually beyond his strength.”
Schweitzer, like many great names of the twentieth century, have faded into caricature, if remembered at all. Einstein, Lenin, Roosevelt, Gandhi, Hitler, King have all faded into myth. Schweitzer is especially opaque to us because he thought and wrote in the style of the nineteenth century.
“Whatever the fundamental rights of man are, they can only be fully secured in a stable and well-ordered society. In a disordered society the very well-being of man himself often demands that his fundamental rights should be abridged.”
This is a short book, but it is slowly read and slowly digested. Some I rejected, but even more that challenged me to reflect, not just agree or disagree.
“All their suggestions thus far have been impotent to create the mutual trust which is necessary for a total renunciation of atomic weapons. Trust is a matter of spirit. It can be born only of the spirit. It can come about only when the spirit of reverence for life arises in all nations.”
“The spirit of the age loves dissonance, in tones, in lines and in thought. That shows how far from thinking it is, for thinking is a harmony within us.”
Intriguing title; intriguing work. First published in 1965, it draws on Schweitzer’s life as a medical missionary in what is now the nation of Gabon. He lived his philosophy, though some will find his words and actions out of step with current style, even allowing for his age.
“Every ethic has something of the absolute about it, just as soon as it ceases to be mere social law. It demands of one what is actually beyond his strength.”
Schweitzer, like many great names of the twentieth century, have faded into caricature, if remembered at all. Einstein, Lenin, Roosevelt, Gandhi, Hitler, King have all faded into myth. Schweitzer is especially opaque to us because he thought and wrote in the style of the nineteenth century.
“Whatever the fundamental rights of man are, they can only be fully secured in a stable and well-ordered society. In a disordered society the very well-being of man himself often demands that his fundamental rights should be abridged.”
This is a short book, but it is slowly read and slowly digested. Some I rejected, but even more that challenged me to reflect, not just agree or disagree.
“All their suggestions thus far have been impotent to create the mutual trust which is necessary for a total renunciation of atomic weapons. Trust is a matter of spirit. It can be born only of the spirit. It can come about only when the spirit of reverence for life arises in all nations.”
January 11, 2022
Não sei se foi o mesmo livro sobre Albert Schweitzer que li, pois o título em português fazia referência ao AMOR. Interessante conhecer um pouco mais do altruísta e vencedor do Prêmio Nobel, mas a autora faz referências desnecessárias a um estudo com jovens.
November 9, 2009
The Teaching of Reverence for Life is a slim volume, penned late in life by Albert Schweitzer, the theologian who “changed careers” at age 30 to endure seven years of medical school and follow a call into medical missionary work. Schweitzer parlayed his unsuccessful (but monumental Quest for the Historical Jesus) into a quest for humanitarian mission work that put him afoul of both the German forces in World War I and the colonizing forces in Africa when he denounced colonialism as de facto racism. The essence of his philosophy can be found in this volume on page 23: “We must in our time make it our special task to struggle against the antihuman traditions and inhuman emotions that are still too much in our midst.” But Schweitzer was more than a humanitarian. He goes on to say: “In the main, reverence for life dictates the same sort of behavior as the ethical principle of love. But reverence for life contains within itself the rationale of the commandment to love, and it calls for compassion for all creature life.” (p. 26) That’s a bit broader. On the very next page of the English translation, he states, “By ethical conduct toward all creatures, we enter into a spiritual relationship with the universe.” Here, he has captured the insights of the Genesis 2 account of creation where nature is presented to humankind as a responsibility to be savored, not a mere resource to be exploited.
Schweitzer was skeptical of relativism, summarizing his ethics into a division of good (“the preserving and benefiting of life”) and evil (“injury to, and destruction of, life) (p. 31). Instead of the amorphous relativity that he saw as an excuse for not maturing as humankind, he defined the development of humanity as moving from a foundation of knowledge and technology into a beneficent socialization of humankind such that civilization could make progress in spirituality (p. 33). This schema was not atypical to the continental theologians of his era who sought a theology from below, humankind evolving toward godliness. Yet, it does not take seriously that phenomena within humanity that Reformation theologians called “depravity” and more modern scientists call “entropy.” It doesn’t seem like he takes seriously the self-destructive entropy of humankind who, by our complacency and self-centeredness, not only fail to mature in our thinking, understanding, and actions, but actually lose ground by insufficiently valuing the insights and sacrifices of those who have gone before us.
I was particularly taken by a metaphor he used in his chapter on human interaction, though. “Just as white light consists of colored rays, so reverence for life contains all the components of ethics: love, kindliness, sympathy, empathy, peacefulness, power to forgive.” (p. 41) Again, “Where there is energy, it will have effects. No ray of sunlight is lost; but the green growth that sunlight awakens needs time to sprout, and the sower is not always destined to witness the harvest. All worthwhile accomplishment is acting on faith.” (p. 42)
The final portion of the book contains a chapter on human interaction with animals that one would expect to resonate firmly with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Schweitzer does not go quite that far, but he forces one to think and re-evaluate one’s attitude toward experimentation with animals at the very least. The final chapter on the abolition of atomic weapons is a marvelous ideal, but the window for the course of action he advocated has long since closed. Of course, having grown up in the Cold War, I know that it was never really open.
The Teaching of Reverence for Life is a stimulating book. For me, it is difficult to sift through the idealism to that which is pragmatic, but it makes me glad that someone existed and lived his life toward such an ideal. And without some people shooting at the target, the rest of us would (as I noted earlier) have a tendency to become complacent and devolve rather than evolve.
Schweitzer was skeptical of relativism, summarizing his ethics into a division of good (“the preserving and benefiting of life”) and evil (“injury to, and destruction of, life) (p. 31). Instead of the amorphous relativity that he saw as an excuse for not maturing as humankind, he defined the development of humanity as moving from a foundation of knowledge and technology into a beneficent socialization of humankind such that civilization could make progress in spirituality (p. 33). This schema was not atypical to the continental theologians of his era who sought a theology from below, humankind evolving toward godliness. Yet, it does not take seriously that phenomena within humanity that Reformation theologians called “depravity” and more modern scientists call “entropy.” It doesn’t seem like he takes seriously the self-destructive entropy of humankind who, by our complacency and self-centeredness, not only fail to mature in our thinking, understanding, and actions, but actually lose ground by insufficiently valuing the insights and sacrifices of those who have gone before us.
I was particularly taken by a metaphor he used in his chapter on human interaction, though. “Just as white light consists of colored rays, so reverence for life contains all the components of ethics: love, kindliness, sympathy, empathy, peacefulness, power to forgive.” (p. 41) Again, “Where there is energy, it will have effects. No ray of sunlight is lost; but the green growth that sunlight awakens needs time to sprout, and the sower is not always destined to witness the harvest. All worthwhile accomplishment is acting on faith.” (p. 42)
The final portion of the book contains a chapter on human interaction with animals that one would expect to resonate firmly with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Schweitzer does not go quite that far, but he forces one to think and re-evaluate one’s attitude toward experimentation with animals at the very least. The final chapter on the abolition of atomic weapons is a marvelous ideal, but the window for the course of action he advocated has long since closed. Of course, having grown up in the Cold War, I know that it was never really open.
The Teaching of Reverence for Life is a stimulating book. For me, it is difficult to sift through the idealism to that which is pragmatic, but it makes me glad that someone existed and lived his life toward such an ideal. And without some people shooting at the target, the rest of us would (as I noted earlier) have a tendency to become complacent and devolve rather than evolve.
October 27, 2018
an important book
August 22, 2020
Read it in the mid-1950s. Just as valid today!
November 11, 2024
A book that offers Schweitzer's overarching understanding of humanity. Yes, his writing is dated--after all, Schweitzer was born in 1875 and died in 1965. And yet, this small book contains an elegant wisdom that contains a prophetic edge.
Here is Schweitzer: "The spirit of the age dislikes what is simple. It no longer believes the simple can be profound. It loves the complicated, and regards it as profound. It loves the violent" (p. 22).
And then this: "Let me give you a definition of ethics. It is good to maintain life and further life; it is bad to damage and destroy life" (p.34).
Simple, uncomplicated, profound.
Here is Schweitzer: "The spirit of the age dislikes what is simple. It no longer believes the simple can be profound. It loves the complicated, and regards it as profound. It loves the violent" (p. 22).
And then this: "Let me give you a definition of ethics. It is good to maintain life and further life; it is bad to damage and destroy life" (p.34).
Simple, uncomplicated, profound.
May 2, 2025
Reverence for life
This is a collection of passages from Schweitzer's works on his fundamental philosophical concept. It is based on the common and natural idea of the will to live which, once we recognize it in ourselves, we can use to build an ethic that not only affects other people but also other living things. Arising out of his experience of having lived through two world wars, the beginning of the age of nuclear weapons, the abuses of colonialism, and the horrors of totalitarian ideologies, all of which saw life as something to be exploited and expended rather than reverenced, it is still relevant in our own age, which holds on to the same old problems.
This is a collection of passages from Schweitzer's works on his fundamental philosophical concept. It is based on the common and natural idea of the will to live which, once we recognize it in ourselves, we can use to build an ethic that not only affects other people but also other living things. Arising out of his experience of having lived through two world wars, the beginning of the age of nuclear weapons, the abuses of colonialism, and the horrors of totalitarian ideologies, all of which saw life as something to be exploited and expended rather than reverenced, it is still relevant in our own age, which holds on to the same old problems.
July 18, 2019
Simply resonating.
Albert Schweitzer in this work expounds his thoughts on the ethics of humanitarianism and a reverence for life.
Writing in a different time, in a different language, by a man with different origins, and with a different upbringing, this book, to me, is art. It was a Schweitzer's rendition written and published for purposes lost to us now but, seemingly from the text, done so for the simplicity of expressing his soul, for the satisfaction of applying self to reach self.
Albert Schweitzer in this work expounds his thoughts on the ethics of humanitarianism and a reverence for life.
Writing in a different time, in a different language, by a man with different origins, and with a different upbringing, this book, to me, is art. It was a Schweitzer's rendition written and published for purposes lost to us now but, seemingly from the text, done so for the simplicity of expressing his soul, for the satisfaction of applying self to reach self.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2019
Through this short biography it is clear that education and a love for living things can only mimic the true reverence for life that comes from seeing all of humanity as image bearers of God. Schweitzer’s humanistic philosophies seem almost devoid of any real reverence for Christ and are replaced with his own idea of reverence for life. Certainly his ethic seems noble as it defends even the dignity of the earthworm, but the absence of ultimate truth and Biblical ethic sits in a stark contrast.
November 26, 2017
This book was given to me by my mentor in-service of my rediscovery of NOW and my cultivation of a reverence for all. The excerpts of Schweitzers writings and speeches give a clear window into this man was. He speaks from and to spirit. Inspired! Only reason it’s not 5 stars is because it felt jumpy and broken. There could have been more of a story or narrative presented through his words.
February 7, 2021
A compelling philosophical meditation on ethical living and the root of ethics, which is to maintain a “reverence for life.” Schweitzer roots his vision of ethics in the fundamental gospel of Christ. Overall, a lot of very compelling thoughts. It raises many questions about how we should each choose to act to bring light into our unique sphere of the universe.
March 16, 2023
At the heart of it all, a reverence for life is truly the answer to all of life’s problems. I appreciate his perspective which resonates with my values and finish this book pondering even more on why it’s so hard for some people to recognize and uphold this truth. The world would be a heck of a lot better if we did!
May 4, 2021
I had no idea that Albert was harrased so much about being German. This resulted in years of problems with closing his hospital, building huts and getting medicine for leprocy. His love for humanity was present through all his life.
March 20, 2024
I did like some of the spiritual takes in this book especially when it came to topics involving Animal life, however I have issues with the way in which religion was brought into the conversation of spirituality. I also take issue with the ways in which he spoke about Indigenous peoples
July 2, 2024
Albert was a great man. This is a short book of aphorisms that is a great taste to see if you want to read more on him. I do. Next will be his philosophy of civilisation book, and his autobiography; out of my life and thought.
August 25, 2024
A masterclass in empathy. I feel that this has a connection to Aurelius’s Meditations, since its tone is very personal and introspective. Sensible take on religion and ethics. And this guy has proved himself to be a kind person by his life’s work in medicine.😄
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November 16, 2021It is a book with quotes from the great German doctor, not all of them have such a good context or consistency, it is divided into topics from his books, correspondence, speeches and sermons.
January 18, 2017
"Dar o exemplo não é a melhor maneira de influenciar os outros - é a única".
December 17, 2016
Schweitzer is remembered first as a humanitarian and a doctor. People may not know that he held a position preaching in the Alsace-Loraine territory to which Schweitzer his given an eternal legacy.
In the course of the book, you may experience some lulls with the preacher cantering to the philosophical side of faith. The final chapter waters down the "attitude of gratitude" preached still today.
Nevertheless, you will find Schweitzer's a brilliant mind on the subjects of overcoming death and acknowledging false motives--a mind on par with C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer and today's evangelists
In the course of the book, you may experience some lulls with the preacher cantering to the philosophical side of faith. The final chapter waters down the "attitude of gratitude" preached still today.
Nevertheless, you will find Schweitzer's a brilliant mind on the subjects of overcoming death and acknowledging false motives--a mind on par with C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer and today's evangelists
October 6, 2023
If you had to create a system of ethics from scratch, without leaning on either existing religion or science, how would you focus? Dr. Schweitzer, Presbyterian preacher, missionary and physician, believed we should start simply by observing a reverence for life. The rest follows easy-peasy.
There are some hard choices though. Is it more ethical to kill a fish to feed an injured fish eagle, or to just allow the fish eagle to die of hunger. This example reminded me of the ethical choices autonomous automobile software might have to make when an accident is unavoidable - better to run over the mother carrying an infant in the crosswalk, or to hit the school bus?
Although chopped-up to make it into a coffee-table book, I still thought it was an important read.
You undoubtedly are familiar with the challenge, "if you could have dinner with any five people that ever lived, who would they be?" I know that one of my choices would be Albert Schweitzer.
There are some hard choices though. Is it more ethical to kill a fish to feed an injured fish eagle, or to just allow the fish eagle to die of hunger. This example reminded me of the ethical choices autonomous automobile software might have to make when an accident is unavoidable - better to run over the mother carrying an infant in the crosswalk, or to hit the school bus?
Although chopped-up to make it into a coffee-table book, I still thought it was an important read.
You undoubtedly are familiar with the challenge, "if you could have dinner with any five people that ever lived, who would they be?" I know that one of my choices would be Albert Schweitzer.
July 26, 2007
While trained in philosophy and theology, Schweitzer had better things to do. Yet as a man of action, Schweitzer also understood that all action must be based upon ethical and intellectual commmitments. There are other works in which he expounds upon the details. It is in this work that one can survey the broad strokes of what Schweitzer is trying to accomplish. For those of us without the time or the interest to invest in his later "Philosophy of Civilization," the "Reverence for Life" is a very inspiring compilation. Indeed, it is simply unfair to read Schweitzer and expect a great classic of ethical thought. Schweitzer's primary preoccupation in this work seems to be to communicate to others simple insights that motivated his daily activities, and he does that with ample effectiveness.
September 16, 2012
The book contains many letters and excerpts of letters from Schweitzer to various persons. Some are personal friends varying from heads of state to leading scientists such as A. Einstein. The underlying message is that if we all adapt an understanding and Reverence for Life we can improve the condition of the world.
March 25, 2016
Intellectual discussion of what we all believe in our hearts--we must respect all life. Also, as the most advanced and capable creature on Earth, we humans are responsible for the good stewardship of all living things. The author provides compelling argument and relevant insight into the human condition and reverence for life.
April 20, 2010
I found this book absolutely amazing. I was able to understand what it means to be Christian without all the hype and evangelical rhetoric. Even after all these years Albert Schweitzer can still make the message powerful and hit close to home.
August 10, 2011
Well-chosen excerpts from Schweitzer's "Philosophy of Civilization" and autobiography. Complementary essays by Schweitzer scholars are thorough if often academically dry: they cast needed light on his Jain influence and offer some valid points of criticism.
December 1, 2016
i thought this book was really intricate and i the way i read this book i made it feel like a musical instrument i did like the book because it was telling the truth about people and our world it wasn't holding back anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2008
This book was givin to me by my dad when I was seven, and love it to this day. If could have pure respect for all around us that would be amazing.
October 2, 2011
Albert Schweitzer practiced medicine in Africa most of his life. This is his biography.
March 9, 2013
Maybe he grapples with questions that everyone would want answered but this book gives no answers.
Doesn't mwean he wasn't a smart man but you'd have to look elsewhere to see it.
Doesn't mwean he wasn't a smart man but you'd have to look elsewhere to see it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews