The destiny of men has to fulfill itself in a thousand ways, so that goodness may be actualized. What every individual has to contribute remains his own secret.
Albert Schweitzer
Share In the Knowledge
Topic: Serving Others
Let no one measure himself by his conclusions respecting someone else. The destiny of men has to fulfill itself in a thousand ways, so that goodness may be actualized. What every individual has to contribute remains his own secret. But we must all mutually share in the knowledge that our existence only attains its true value when we have experienced in ourselves the truth of the declaration: ‘He who loses his life shall find it.’
Albert Schweitzer (January 14, 1875 - September 4, 1965) was a multi-faceted personality—a theologian, organist, writer, humanitarian, philosopher, and physician—whose accomplishments spanned diverse areas. Born into an Alsatian family with a rich tradition in religion, music, and education, his early life was shaped by the spiritual and scholarly pursuits of his ancestors. This milieu nurtured his deep interest in theology and music. A Lutheran by faith, Schweitzer challenged both the secular view of Jesus as well as the traditional Christian view, contributing significantly to the interpretation of Pauline Christianity. His life was also characterized by a strong dedication to humanitarian work, as exemplified by his role as a medical missionary in Africa.
Schweitzer embarked on his intellectual journey at the University of Strasbourg in 1893, where he undertook intensive theological studies. He received his doctorate in philosophy in 1899 with a dissertation on Kant's religious philosophy and his licentiate in theology in 1900. During this period, he began preaching at St. Nicholas Church and held several high-ranking administrative positions at the Theological College of St. Thomas from 1901 to 1912. His acclaimed book, The Quest of the Historical Jesus, published in 1906, established his reputation as a notable theological scholar.
Parallel to his theological endeavors, Schweitzer pursued a distinguished career in music, stemming from his early piano and organ lessons. He was recognized as an internationally renowned concert organist from his young adulthood until his mid-eighties. His concerts not only showcased his musical talent but also provided funds for his education and his later medical mission in Africa. As a musicologist, Schweitzer penned a biography of Bach in 1905 and published a book on organ building and playing in 1906, further cementing his reputation in the realm of music.
In 1905, Schweitzer began studying medicine at the University of Strasbourg with a vision to serve as a medical missionary in Africa. Upon obtaining his M.D. degree in 1913, he founded a hospital in Lambaréné, French Equatorial Africa. After a stint as a prisoner of war and a period of six years in Europe, he returned to Lambaréné in 1924, where he spent most of his remaining life. He transformed the hospital into a large complex capable of housing over 500 patients. His life in Lambaréné reflected his multi-disciplinary talents—he was a doctor, surgeon, pastor, administrator, writer, musician, and a gracious host. His exceptional service earned him numerous honors, including the Goethe Prize of Frankfurt and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953. The latter award's prize money helped him establish a leprosarium in Lambaréné. Albert Schweitzer passed away on September 4, 1965, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and dedication to the service of humanity.
The Spiritual Life
Schweitzer, Albert. : The Spiritual Life: Selected Writings of Albert Schweitzer. 1947, p. 267.
Albert Schweitzer
Theme: Serving
About This Albert Schweitzer Quotation [Commentary]
Albert Schweitzer, in the quoted passage, emphasizes the individual’s journey toward actualizing goodness as a multifaceted destiny, unique to each person. He posits that life’s true essence is discovered not in isolation or self-centered pursuits, but through service and contribution to others. Schweitzer’s philosophy, deeply rooted in the ethic of reverence for life, insists that each person’s role in the world is an individual secret, a personal calling to contribute to the greater good. This nuanced understanding of destiny suggests that fulfillment and ethical living are not one-size-fits-all concepts but are realized through diverse paths of service, reflecting the inherent variety of human experience and potential.
Schweitzer’s context emphasizes the subjective nature of each individual’s contribution and the importance of not comparing one’s path to another’s. He advocates for a deep personal reflection to understand how one can best serve, underlining that the act of giving oneself, whether in quiet consistency or in marked self-sacrifice, is the cornerstone of a life of value. His message is a call to recognize that in losing oneself in the service of others, one finds a deeper, more authentic existence. This principle challenges the narrow pursuit of personal gain or success and places higher esteem on the contribution to communal goodness and human solidarity.
In connecting with the theme of serving, Schweitzer’s words serve as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of selfless action and the profound interconnectedness of humanity. His assertion that goodness is actualized in a “thousand ways” inspires a broad spectrum of service, from everyday kindness and understanding to monumental acts of self-sacrifice. It is in this myriad of possibilities that individuals find the true value of their existence, fulfilling their destiny by embracing the paradoxical truth that in giving of oneself, life’s greatest fulfillment is found. Schweitzer’s perspective not only enriches the individual soul but also contributes to the collective ethos of nurturing a more compassionate and empathetic world.
The Contextual Passage For Albert Schweitzer’s Quote
The ethic of reverence for life constrains all, in whatever walk of life they may find themselves, to busy themselves intimately with all the human and vital processes which are being played out around them, and to give themselves as men to the man who needs human help and sympathy. It does not allow the scholar to live for his science alone, even if he is very useful to the community in so doing. It does not permit the artist to exist only for his art, even if he gives inspiration to many by its means. It refuses to let the businessman imagine that he fulfills all legitimate demands in the course of his business activities. It demands from all that they should sacrifice a portion of their own lives for others. In what way and in what measure this is his duty, this everyone must decide on the basis of the thoughts which arise in himself, and the circumstances which attend the course of his own life. The self-sacrifice of one may not be particularly in evidence. He carries it out simply by continuing his normal life. Another is called to some striking self-surrender which obliges him to set on one side all regard for his own progress. Let no one measure himself by his conclusions respecting someone else. The destiny of men has to fulfill itself in a thousand ways, so that goodness may be actualized. What every individual has to contribute remains his own secret. But we must all mutually share in the knowledge that our existence only attains its true value when we have experienced in ourselves the truth of the declaration: ‘He who loses his life shall find it.’
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