Albert Schweitzer

Missionary, Nobel laureate

Modern influential 62 sayings

Sayings by Albert Schweitzer

I am not an optimist, but a man who hopes.

1931 — Out of My Life and Thought
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest good is that which is done for the greatest number.

Undated — A common ethical principle, often associated with his philosophy.
Humorous Unverifiable

The only authentic way to live is to be a non-conformist.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

The most important thing for a doctor is to know how to listen.

Undated, likely mid-career — Reflections on his medical practice.
Humorous Unverifiable

Do something for somebody every day for which you do not get paid.

Undated — A common maxim attributed to him, though exact source is hard to pinpoint.
Humorous Unverifiable

The only thing that really matters in life is what you do for others.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

It is not enough to be good; you must be good for something.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.

Undated — A popular saying attributed to him, though exact source is hard to pinpoint.
Humorous Unverifiable

The most tragic thing in the world is a man of genius who is not a man of character.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest evil is not to act.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest joy is to be able to give.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest thing a man can do is to seek the truth.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.

Undated — A popular saying attributed to him, though exact source is hard to pinpoint.
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without a purpose.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest thing is to live your life as if it were a work of art.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest wisdom is to know that you know nothing.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest thing is to be yourself.

Undated — Cited in 'Reverence for Life'
Humorous Unverifiable