---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man has lost the capacity to foresee and…"
description: "\"Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He will end by destroying the earth.\" — Albert Schweitzer"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97c/albert-schweitzer-701_capacity_man-has-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and_3088177.jpg"
---

#  Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He…

![“Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He will end by destroying the earth.” quote by Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97c/albert-schweitzer-701_capacity_man-has-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and_3088177.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97c/albert-schweitzer-701_capacity_man-has-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and_3088177.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97c/albert-schweitzer-701_capacity_man-has-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and_3088177.jpg)

> “Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He will end by destroying the earth.”

[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.

Humanity has lost foresight, risking ecological collapse through shortsighted actions.

**In simple terms:** We lack future vision, endangering Earth.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate long‑term thinking.

Themes

environment future responsibility

Mood

concerned urgent

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

- policy planning
- education
- business strategy

Key Concepts

philosophy ecology ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we improve collective foresight?
- What actions prevent environmental ruin?

A Different Perspective

Technological advances may offset some damage.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/) [Destroying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroying/) [Destroying Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroying-earth-816782/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [End Destroying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-destroying-687592/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Man Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-lost/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/)

## Related quotes

> [“Man has the lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He will end up destroying the earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/man-has-the-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and-to-forestall-he-will-end/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [Capitalism is destroying the earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-caldicott/capitalism-is-destroying-the-earth/)

[Helen Caldicott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-caldicott/)

> [Nothing is costed properly and it's destroying the earth. We need to re-educate people that what is good for the planet is good for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-westwood/nothing-is-costed-properly-and-it-s-destroying-the-earth-we-need-to/)

[Vivienne Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-westwood/)

> [I certainly wouldn't stand for policies that are gonna end up destroying America, this special place, because once this special place is destroyed and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/i-certainly-wouldn-t-stand-for-policies-that-are-gonna-end-up/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [When you try to destroy other people, you only end up destroying yourself. ¥](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-try-to-destroy-other-people-you-only-end-up-destroying/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“We could be something amazing- or we could end up destroying each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivy-devlin/we-could-be-something-amazing-or-we-could-end-up-destroying-each-other/)

[Ivy Devlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivy-devlin/)

> [Sorry that was my morning rant about how humans are destroying our earth, as if you didn't already know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-kitching/sorry-that-was-my-morning-rant-about-how-humans-are-destroying-our/)

[Audrey Kitching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-kitching/)

> [“The nihilist looks around at everything and comes to terms with what seems to be obvious. The sun is one tiny dying star in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-morrison/the-nihilist-looks-around-at-everything-and-comes-to-terms-with-what/)

[Jon Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-morrison/)

> [Every day, TV, newspapers, and the Internet bombard us with a message that we're destroying the earth. Ice caps are melting, rivers are dying,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/every-day-tv-newspapers-and-the-internet-bombard-us-with-a-message/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [Today's voguish threats, including climate change, population growth, massive war, and resource depletion, are all amenable to a fix if we act prudently. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/today-s-voguish-threats-including-climate-change-population-growth/)

[Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/)

> [Most people do not see that they are destroying their earth. The planet which gives them life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-people-do-not-see-that-they-are-destroying-their-earth-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Ethics, too, are nothing but reverence for life. This is what gives me the fundamental principle of morality, namely, that good consists in maintaining,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/ethics-too-are-nothing-but-reverence-for-life-this-is-what-gives-me/)

[Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/)

> [I think now, with our technology, our capacity to grow food, our ability to stop raping the Earth and destroying the ecology and killing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/i-think-now-with-our-technology-our-capacity-to-grow-food-our-ability/)

[Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/)

> [“The naked man had lost hope now; he would never be able to return to the earth's surface;he would never leave the bottom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italo-calvino/the-naked-man-had-lost-hope-now-he-would-never-be-able-to-return-to/)

[Italo Calvino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italo-calvino/)

> [The true love suddenly broken, not only but like the old man who has lost the stick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-true-love-suddenly-broken-not-only-but-like-the-old-man-who-has/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## 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 Capacity quotes

> [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/)

[Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/)

> [And you can't complain about kissing Emma Watson. Isn't that what everyone in the world wants to do? I've known Emma for a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-redmayne/and-you-can-t-complain-about-kissing-emma-watson-isn-t-that-what/)

[Eddie Redmayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-redmayne/)

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/)

[Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/)

> [I was only operating at about 80% of my capacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lomu/i-was-only-operating-at-about-80-of-my-capacity/)

[Jonah Lomu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lomu/)

> [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/)

[Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/)

> [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/)

[Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/)

> [Disappointment contains an appointment for doing much better. High expectations mean your higher capacity and belief in abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/disappointment-contains-an-appointment-for-doing-much-better-high/)

[Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/)

> [For years mental health professionals taught people that they could be psychologically healthy without social support, that “unless you love yourself, no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-d-perry/for-years-mental-health-professionals-taught-people-that-they-could/)

[Bruce D. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-d-perry/)

> [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/)

[Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/)

> [“Teach honesty by all means - you do know what it is, don't you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/teach-honesty-by-all-means-you-do-know-what-it-is-don-t-you/)

[Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/)

> [Human freedom involves our capacity to pause between the stimulus and response and, in that pause, to choose the one response toward which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/human-freedom-involves-our-capacity-to-pause-between-the-stimulus-and/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [he cult of productivity has its place, but worshipping at its altar daily robs us of the very capacity for joy and wonder that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-popova/he-cult-of-productivity-has-its-place-but-worshipping-at-its-altar/)

[Maria Popova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-popova/)

> [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/)

[Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/)

> [Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/bravery-is-the-capacity-to-perform-properly-even-when-scared-half-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Browse all 3,320 Capacity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He will end by destroying the earth.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Albert Schweitzer"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/man-has-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and-to-forestall-he-will-end-by/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Capacity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/man-has-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and-to-forestall-he-will-end-by/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97c/albert-schweitzer-701_capacity_man-has-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and_3088177.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97c/albert-schweitzer-701_capacity_man-has-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and_3088177.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97c/albert-schweitzer-701_capacity_man-has-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and_3088177.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He will end by destroying the earth.” — 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": "Man has lost the capacity to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/man-has-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and-to-forestall-he-will-end-by/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/man-has-lost-the-capacity-to-foresee-and-to-forestall-he-will-end-by/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
