--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the past we have tried to make a…" description: "\"In the past we have tried to make a distinction between animals which we acknowledge have some value and other which, having none, can be liquidated wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/albert-schweitzer-701_abandoned_in-the-past-we-have-tried-to-make-a-dist_2385072.jpg" --- # In the past we have tried to make a distinction between… ![“In the past we have tried to make a distinction between animals which we acknowledge have some value and other which, having none, can be liquidated when we wish. This standard must be abandoned. Everything that lives has value simply as a living thing, as one of the manifestations of the mystery…” quote by Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/albert-schweitzer-701_abandoned_in-the-past-we-have-tried-to-make-a-dist_2385072.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/albert-schweitzer-701_abandoned_in-the-past-we-have-tried-to-make-a-dist_2385072.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/albert-schweitzer-701_abandoned_in-the-past-we-have-tried-to-make-a-dist_2385072.jpg) > “In the past we have tried to make a distinction between animals which we acknowledge have some value and other which, having none, can be liquidated when we wish. This standard must be abandoned. Everything that lives has value simply as a living thing, as one of the manifestations of the mystery that is life.” [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. All living beings possess intrinsic worth simply by being alive, rejecting any hierarchy that devalues some for convenience. **In simple terms:** Life itself is valuable. Key Takeaway Respect every living thing. Themes ethics value of life equality Mood compassionate thoughtful Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - animal welfare - environmental policy - personal diet choices - education curricula Key Concepts intrinsic worth life as mystery non‑exploitation Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to value life beyond utility? - How can societies protect all living beings? A Different Perspective Economic pressures often conflict with ethical treatment of animals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Manifestation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manifestation/) [Mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystery/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [I think it's really important to remind, reinforce people that their lives have value, you know? That their lives have worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-jenkins/i-think-it-s-really-important-to-remind-reinforce-people-that-their/) [Barry Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-jenkins/) > [All lives matter, including black lives, which is a value we should be striving for rather than condemning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-pavlich/all-lives-matter-including-black-lives-which-is-a-value-we-should-be/) [Katie Pavlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-pavlich/) > [Some know the value of education by having it. I know it's value by not having it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/some-know-the-value-of-education-by-having-it-i-know-it-s-value-by/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [Take the time to define yourself and define your value. If you're having a hard time doing that, ask yourself: What is something I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/take-the-time-to-define-yourself-and-define-your-value-if-you-re/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [The value of having an inner map of the world as it is (not as it's broadcast) is this: it allows you to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ventura/the-value-of-having-an-inner-map-of-the-world-as-it-is-not-as-it-s/) [Michael Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ventura/) > [The value of having numbers - data - is that they aren't subject to someone else's interpretation. They are just the numbers. You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/the-value-of-having-numbers-data-is-that-they-aren-t-subject-to/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [The greatest value of having good people around you is not what you get from them but the better person you become because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/the-greatest-value-of-having-good-people-around-you-is-not-what-you/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [There is only one value to having the look you have when you are young and no value to the look you have when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cher/there-is-only-one-value-to-having-the-look-you-have-when-you-are/) [Cher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cher/) > [“but love was undependable, it came and then it went; so it was good to have a money value, because then at least those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/but-love-was-undependable-it-came-and-then-it-went-so-it-was-good-to/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [It is hard to put a price on some things. What is the value of having prevented nuclear weapons from getting into the hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/it-is-hard-to-put-a-price-on-some-things-what-is-the-value-of-having/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [I do think that there are cultural differences in the extent to which we value having more and more choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/i-do-think-that-there-are-cultural-differences-in-the-extent-to-which/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [THE VALUE OF LOVE. The greatest value of having good people around you is not what you get from them but the better person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-kreger/the-value-of-love-the-greatest-value-of-having-good-people-around-you/) [David Kreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-kreger/) > [I'm not saying this in an egotistical way, but I think there's value in having a good hitter behind the plate and being able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buster-posey/i-m-not-saying-this-in-an-egotistical-way-but-i-think-there-s-value/) [Buster Posey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buster-posey/) > [Of course (said Oryx), having a money value was no substitute for love. Every child should have love, every person should have it. .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/of-course-said-oryx-having-a-money-value-was-no-substitute-for-love/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“I'm surprised when I walk right into yet another abandoned hunters' camp. Tattered plastic sheeting still hangs askew here and there. Blackened aerosol cans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-bass/i-m-surprised-when-i-walk-right-into-yet-another-abandoned-hunters/) [Rick Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-bass/) ## 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 Abandoned quotes > [“I'm surprised when I walk right into yet another abandoned hunters' camp. 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But in doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-russia-there-is-an-emigration-of-intelligence-migr-s-cross-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Early on in my life, I had a broken soul. I was abused by my father, abandoned by my mother and ended up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/early-on-in-my-life-i-had-a-broken-soul-i-was-abused-by-my-father/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [We should be recklessly abandoned to Jesus, and just turn it over to Him. Through the support I think the sacrifices will be made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacie-orrico/we-should-be-recklessly-abandoned-to-jesus-and-just-turn-it-over-to/) [Stacie Orrico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacie-orrico/) > [In the eyes of those lovers of perfection, a work is never finished a word that for them has no sense but abandoned; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/in-the-eyes-of-those-lovers-of-perfection-a-work-is-never-finished-a/) [Paul Valery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/) > [The whole force of the respectable circles to which I belonged, that respectable circle which knew as I did notthe value of security won,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ida-tarbell/the-whole-force-of-the-respectable-circles-to-which-i-belonged-that/) [Ida Tarbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ida-tarbell/) > [Barack Obama became president, and he abandoned Iraq. He left, and when he left Al Qaida was done for. ISIS was created because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/barack-obama-became-president-and-he-abandoned-iraq-he-left-and-when/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [“The desperate loneliness is nothing compared to the torture of falling in love and then being abandoned.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-nuest/the-desperate-loneliness-is-nothing-compared-to-the-torture-of/) A.J. Nuest > [Through it all, this wild life on and off the road , through Jordanian deserts , Spanish islands, German prisons, Caribbean tax scams, halls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-burdon/through-it-all-this-wild-life-on-and-off-the-road-through-jordanian/) [Eric Burdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-burdon/) > [I've never been keen on open adoption. 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