--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man is ethical only when life, as such…" description: "\"A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men, and when he devotes himself helpfully..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/albert-schweitzer-701_ethical_a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such_2917862.jpg" --- # A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to… ![“A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men, and when he devotes himself helpfully to all life that is in need of help.” quote by Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/albert-schweitzer-701_ethical_a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such_2917862.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/albert-schweitzer-701_ethical_a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such_2917862.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/albert-schweitzer-701_ethical_a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such_2917862.jpg) > “A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men, and when he devotes himself helpfully to all life that is in need of help.” [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ethics arise when one values all life, human and non‑human, and helps those in need. **In simple terms:** Respect all life, act kindly. Key Takeaway Practice universal compassion. Themes ethics compassion environmentalism Mood reflective serious Type ethical inspirational When to use this quote - animal rescue - environmental activism - community service Key Concepts philosophy biology Questions to Reflect On - How can we extend compassion without burnout? - What limits exist in aiding all life? A Different Perspective Balancing self‑care with helping others is challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ethical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethical/) [Ethical Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethical-life-783423/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Sacred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-sacred/) [Man Ethical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-ethical-312351/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Devotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-devotes-4236558/) [Plants and animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plants-and-animals/) [Sacred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacred/) ## Related quotes > [A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such-is-sacred-to-him/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [To the man who is truly ethical all life is sacred, including that which from the human point of view seems lower in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/to-the-man-who-is-truly-ethical-all-life-is-sacred-including-that/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [To the truly ethical man, all of life is sacred, including forms of life that from the human point of view may seem lower…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/to-the-truly-ethical-man-all-of-life-is-sacred-including-forms-of/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [A man's ethical behaviour should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-man-s-ethical-behaviour-should-be-based-effectually-on-sympathy/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“To be a good human is to have a kind of openness to the world, an ability to trust uncertain things beyond your own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-nussbaum/to-be-a-good-human-is-to-have-a-kind-of-openness-to-the-world-an/) [Martha Nussbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-nussbaum/) > [The ethical life... is maintained in being by a common culture, which also upholds the togetherness of society... Unlike the modern youth culture, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/the-ethical-life-is-maintained-in-being-by-a-common-culture-which/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) > [A genuine consideration of others is essential to an ethical life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-genuine-consideration-of-others-is-essential-to-an-ethical-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Man is the "ethical animal" ethical in potentiality even if, unfortunately, not in actuality. His capacity for ethical judgment like freedom, reason and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/man-is-the-ethical-animal-ethical-in-potentiality-even-if/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) > [Man is an animal with primary instincts of survival. Consequently his ingenuity has developed first and his soul afterwards. The progress of science is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-chaplin/man-is-an-animal-with-primary-instincts-of-survival-consequently-his/) [Charlie Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-chaplin/) > [It seems to me that the idea of a personal God is an anthropological concept which I cannot take seriously. I also cannot imagine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/it-seems-to-me-that-the-idea-of-a-personal-god-is-an-anthropological/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Don't stop to ask whether the animal or plant you meet deserves your sympathy, or how much it feels, or even whether it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/don-t-stop-to-ask-whether-the-animal-or-plant-you-meet-deserves-your/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [“Since the fall of man was ethical in character (not metaphysical) the unregenerate and regenerate share the facts of the world and the rules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-l-bahnsen/since-the-fall-of-man-was-ethical-in-character-not-metaphysical-the/) [Greg L. Bahnsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-l-bahnsen/) > [“For the moral basis, it is obvious that man's ethical responsibility varies with his knowledge of consequences”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/for-the-moral-basis-it-is-obvious-that-man-s-ethical-responsibility/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [“Feminism expects a man to be ethical, emotionally present, and accountable to his values in his actions with women — as well as with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-kimmel/feminism-expects-a-man-to-be-ethical-emotionally-present-and/) [Michael Kimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-kimmel/) > [“As part of "moral philosophy," the concept of "natural liberty" clicks easily into place. Man, as an ethical integer, is either free to choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-chamberlain/as-part-of-moral-philosophy-the-concept-of-natural-liberty-clicks/) [John Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-chamberlain/) ## More by Albert Schweitzer > [Every patient carries her or his own doctor inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/every-patient-carries-her-or-his-own-doctor-inside/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [Ethics is the activity of man directed to secure the inner perfection of his own personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/ethics-is-the-activity-of-man-directed-to-secure-the-inner-perfection/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [Because I have confidence in the power of truth, and of the spirit, I have confidence in the future of mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/because-i-have-confidence-in-the-power-of-truth-and-of-the-spirit-i/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [Man's ethics must not end with man, but should extend to the universe. He must regain the consciousness of the great Chain of Life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/man-s-ethics-must-not-end-with-man-but-should-extend-to-the-universe/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [Sincerity is the foundation of the spiritual life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/sincerity-is-the-foundation-of-the-spiritual-life/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [I am life that wants to live, in the midst of life that wants to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/i-am-life-that-wants-to-live-in-the-midst-of-life-that-wants-to-live/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [“ Bauer 's 'Criticism of the Gospel History' is worth a good dozen Lives of Jesus, because his work, as we are only now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/bauer-s-criticism-of-the-gospel-history-is-worth-a-good-dozen-lives/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [Ethics is in its unqualified form extended responsibility to everything that has life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/ethics-is-in-its-unqualified-form-extended-responsibility-to/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [The only way out of today's misery is for people to become worthy of each other's trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/the-only-way-out-of-today-s-misery-is-for-people-to-become-worthy-of/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [When we observe contemporary society one thing strikes us. We debate but make no progress. Why? Because as peoples we do not yet trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/when-we-observe-contemporary-society-one-thing-strikes-us-we-debate/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [For those who sincerely seek the truth should not fear the outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/for-those-who-sincerely-seek-the-truth-should-not-fear-the-outcome/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [The ethic of Reverence for Life is the ethic of Love widened into universality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/the-ethic-of-reverence-for-life-is-the-ethic-of-love-widened-into/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [I still remain convinced that truth, love, peaceableness, meekness, and kindness are the violence which can master all other violence. The world will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/i-still-remain-convinced-that-truth-love-peaceableness-meekness-and/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [Whatever you have received more than others-in health, in talents, in ability, in success, in a pleasant childhood, in harmonious conditions of home life-all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/whatever-you-have-received-more-than-others-in-health-in-talents-in/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [Every start on an untrodden path is a venture which only in unusual circumstances looks sensible and likely to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/every-start-on-an-untrodden-path-is-a-venture-which-only-in-unusual/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) [Explore all 400 Albert Schweitzer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) ## More Ethical quotes > [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [My hope is that if people have the knowledge, and if they actually see where their food comes from and have access to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/my-hope-is-that-if-people-have-the-knowledge-and-if-they-actually-see/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [What our species needs, above all else, is a generally accepted ethical system that is compatible with the scientific knowledge we now possess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-our-species-needs-above-all-else-is-a-generally-accepted-ethical/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Daily contact with some teachers is itself all-sided ethical education for the child without a spoken precept. Here, too, the real advantage of male…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-stanley-hall/daily-contact-with-some-teachers-is-itself-all-sided-ethical/) [G. Stanley Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-stanley-hall/) > [It is possible to believe in progress as a fact without believing in progress as an ethical principle; but in the catechism of many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norbert-wiener/it-is-possible-to-believe-in-progress-as-a-fact-without-believing-in/) [Norbert Wiener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norbert-wiener/) > [Virtue is as little to be acquired by learning as genius; nay, the idea is barren, and is only to be employed as an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/virtue-is-as-little-to-be-acquired-by-learning-as-genius-nay-the-idea/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) > [I'm a fan of Hugh Kenner, Richard Ellman, Lionel Trilling and Frank Kermode. All these people have taught me how to read - but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-kitcher/i-m-a-fan-of-hugh-kenner-richard-ellman-lionel-trilling-and-frank/) [Philip Kitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-kitcher/) > [Of course, corporations and governments have a right to something for their money. They pay the wages. But they don't have the ethical right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ralston-saul/of-course-corporations-and-governments-have-a-right-to-something-for/) [John Ralston Saul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ralston-saul/) > [It's silly to have as one's sole object in life just making money, accumulating wealth. I work because I enjoy what I'm doing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-carson/it-s-silly-to-have-as-one-s-sole-object-in-life-just-making-money/) [Johnny Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-carson/) > [Everyone seems to assume that the unscrupulous parts of journalism will be the frivolous or jocular parts. This is against all ethical experience. Jokes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/everyone-seems-to-assume-that-the-unscrupulous-parts-of-journalism/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [“... Ethical cyberexplorers are responsible, yeah? We are friendly ghosts in the machine, not poltergeists or hooligans. We are a growing breed. Over sixty-five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/ethical-cyberexplorers-are-responsible-yeah-we-are-friendly-ghosts-in/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) > [Undeniably, character does count for our citizens, out communities, and our Nation, and this week we celebrate the importance of character in our individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/undeniably-character-does-count-for-our-citizens-out-communities-and/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [“Where are the ethical concerns, that so many people called animal lovers invoke, when you steal the children of wild dog mothers and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-nther-bloch/where-are-the-ethical-concerns-that-so-many-people-called-animal/) [Günther Bloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-nther-bloch/) > [In the light of absolute values (religious or ethical) man himself is judged to be limited or imperfect, while he can occasionally accomplish acts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-e-hulme/in-the-light-of-absolute-values-religious-or-ethical-man-himself-is/) [T. E. Hulme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-e-hulme/) [Browse all 1,110 Ethical quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethical/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men, and when he devotes himself helpfully to all life that is in need of help.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Albert Schweitzer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such-is-sacred-to-him-that-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ethical" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such-is-sacred-to-him-that-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/albert-schweitzer-701_ethical_a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such_2917862.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/albert-schweitzer-701_ethical_a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such_2917862.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/albert-schweitzer-701_ethical_a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such_2917862.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that of plants and animals as that of his fellow…” — Albert Schweitzer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Albert Schweitzer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A man is ethical only when...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such-is-sacred-to-him-that-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/a-man-is-ethical-only-when-life-as-such-is-sacred-to-him-that-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```