Albert Schweitzer Portrait
Words by Thurston Moore
Approximate time 16:00
The music is heard throughout.
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Albert Schweitzer devoted his life to making the world more humane and ethical. He taught and developed his philosophy of Reverence for Life for half a century. The story of his life is a testament to the fact that this philosophy lived within him from the moment of his birth, This is what he said; this is what Albert Schweitzer said:
"I can remember, it was quite incomprehensible to me -- that was before I was going to school -- why in my evening prayers, I should pray for human beings only. When my mother had prayed with me and kissed me goodnight, I used to add silently a prayer that I had composed for all living creatures. It ran thus: 'Oh heavenly father, protect and bless all things that have breath; guard them from evil, and let them sleep in peace.'"
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Albert Schweitzer was a citizen of the world. Late in life when asked what country he considered his home, this is what he said; he said,
"I am just an old man who has lived most of his life in Africa. It is only in Africa that I could have discovered my philosophy of Reverence for Life."
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Albert Schweitzer was a great ethical genius and truly a man for all seasons. He was a philosopher, environmentalist, minister, missionary doctor; he was a renowned concert organist and interpreter of Bach's music. His writings changed the course of Bach scholarship. This is what he said; he said,
"Bach is a supreme pictorial artist in music. If the text speaks of drifting mists, of waves that ebb and flow, of a beautiful sunset, of bells that ring for the dying... then one hears and sees all this in his music. Bach's music is Gothic. Just as in Gothic architecture, the great plan develops out of the simple motif and enfolds itself in the richest detail. Whatever path we traverse through the poetry and the music of the Middle Ages, we are always led to him."
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Albert Schweitzer received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 and in his acceptance speech this is what he said,
"Now that we know how terrible an evil war is in our time, we should neglect nothing that may prevent its recurrence. We must hope and work with all our strength for the coming of an age in which war will no longer exist. May those who have in their hands the fate of the nations take care to avoid whatever may worsen our situation. And may they take to heart the words of the Apostle Paul: 'If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.'"
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Albert Schweitzer achieved fame few men can claim in their lifetime, and his deeds and thoughts left a courageous example for us all. This is what he said; this is what Albert Schweitzer said,
"A human being is never a total and permanent stranger to another human being. Man belongs to man; man has claims upon man. Man can no longer live for himself alone. We must realize that all life is valuable and that we are united to all life. From this knowledge comes our spiritual relationship to the universe. When I watch autumn leaves drift slowly to earth, I think people should be allowed to die that way -- naturally, easily, without pain."
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Among Dr. Schweitzer's writings is The Quest of the Historical Jesus, which ends with one of the most widely-read paragraphs in twentieth century theology. This is what he said,
"He comes to us as one unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside, he came to those men who did not know who he was. He says the same words, 'Follow me!', and sets us to those tasks which we must fulfill in our time, whether wise or unwise, he will reveal himself in the peace, the labors, the conflicts and the suffering that they may experience in his fellowship, and as an ineffable mystery they will learn who he is...."
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When asked how he wished to be remembered, this is what he said; this is what Albert Schweitzer said,
"Let man begin to think about the mystery of his life and the links which connect him with life that fills the world, and he cannot but bring to bear upon his own life and all other life that comes within his reach, the principle of Reverence for Life. When you portray me, it should not be merely as a doctor who ministers to the sick. It is my philosophy of Reverence for Life that I consider my primary contribution to the world."
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