--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The disastrous feature of our…" description: "\"The disastrous feature of our civilization is that it is far more developed materially than spiritually. Its balance is disturbed.\" — Albert Schweitzer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/382/albert-schweitzer-701_balance_the-disastrous-feature-of-our-civilizati_2850833.jpg" --- # The disastrous feature of our civilization is that it is… ![“The disastrous feature of our civilization is that it is far more developed materially than spiritually. Its balance is disturbed.” quote by Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/382/albert-schweitzer-701_balance_the-disastrous-feature-of-our-civilizati_2850833.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/382/albert-schweitzer-701_balance_the-disastrous-feature-of-our-civilizati_2850833.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/382/albert-schweitzer-701_balance_the-disastrous-feature-of-our-civilizati_2850833.jpg) > “The disastrous feature of our civilization is that it is far more developed materially than spiritually. Its balance is disturbed.” [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. Material progress outpaces spiritual growth, causing imbalance. **In simple terms:** Material > spiritual imbalance. Key Takeaway Seek spiritual development. Themes materialism spirituality balance Mood reflective concerned Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal meditation - community service - education reform Key Concepts philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - How to measure spiritual health? - What restores balance? A Different Perspective Spiritual growth is subjective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [It seemed to me,' said Wonko the Sane, 'that any civilization that had so far lost its head as to need to include a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/it-seemed-to-me-said-wonko-the-sane-that-any-civilization-that-had-so/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [We are disturbed about the effect of the Jewish influence on our press, radio, and motion pictures. It may become very serious. (Fulton) Lewis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/we-are-disturbed-about-the-effect-of-the-jewish-influence-on-our/) [Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/) > [We wander through this life together in a semi-darkness in which none of us can distinguish exactly the features of his neighbour. Only from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/we-wander-through-this-life-together-in-a-semi-darkness-in-which-none/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [“Religion has had the disastrous effect of placing vitally important concepts, such as morality, happiness and love, in a supernatural realm inaccessible to man’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-smith/religion-has-had-the-disastrous-effect-of-placing-vitally-important/) [George H. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-smith/) > [A very difficult year is ahead of us. We must continue our efforts with decisiveness, to stay in the euro, to make sure we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-papademos/a-very-difficult-year-is-ahead-of-us-we-must-continue-our-efforts/) [Lucas Papademos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-papademos/) > [“There's something about Easton that makes me want when I shouldn't, need when I needn't, and desire when I know it'll be disastrous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-bromberg/there-s-something-about-easton-that-makes-me-want-when-i-shouldn-t/) [K. Bromberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-bromberg/) > [Most poets' revisions are disastrous. They buckle and dent what was originally forged at a red-hot heat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-longley/most-poets-revisions-are-disastrous-they-buckle-and-dent-what-was/) [Michael Longley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-longley/) > [The Citizens United decision has been disastrous for the American people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-kim/the-citizens-united-decision-has-been-disastrous-for-the-american/) [Andy Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-kim/) > [“My stomach sank. I was in trouble. Big, disastrous, Maddox trouble.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/my-stomach-sank-i-was-in-trouble-big-disastrous-maddox-trouble/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [“It will take centuries to disconnect people from an addiction like religion; no matter how bad and disastrous it could be, but addiction is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/it-will-take-centuries-to-disconnect-people-from-an-addiction-like/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [My preoccupation has been from the very beginning that I believe that the "Brexit" referendum result is the most disastrous peacetime result that we've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-heseltine/my-preoccupation-has-been-from-the-very-beginning-that-i-believe-that/) [Michael Heseltine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-heseltine/) > [Until higher institutions have been evolved, any attempt to break the old ones will be disastrous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/until-higher-institutions-have-been-evolved-any-attempt-to-break-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Nevertheless, the realization that breaking a pencil point would have far less disastrous consequences played little or no role, I believe, in this decision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolph-a-marcus/nevertheless-the-realization-that-breaking-a-pencil-point-would-have/) [Rudolph A. Marcus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolph-a-marcus/) > [Adrian's face was the picture of perfect politeness and restraint, meaning something disastrous was about to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/adrian-s-face-was-the-picture-of-perfect-politeness-and-restraint/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [I never wanted System to take a hiatus. I think it was a disastrous move for us, because we never reached our peak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/i-never-wanted-system-to-take-a-hiatus-i-think-it-was-a-disastrous/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) ## 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 Balance quotes > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [The bones of my architecture are very much related to the structure, to the physical fact of how a building can stand up; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-bones-of-my-architecture-are-very-much-related-to-the-structure/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [she got a reputation for an easy smile and a sharp tongue, and using one to balance the other, she seemed friendly but distant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/she-got-a-reputation-for-an-easy-smile-and-a-sharp-tongue-and-using/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [Life's unfairness is not irrevocable; we can help balance the scales for others, if not always for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-h-humphrey/life-s-unfairness-is-not-irrevocable-we-can-help-balance-the-scales/) [Hubert H. Humphrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-h-humphrey/) > [“We don't need to strive towards balance, we rather need to work on the obstacles that are preventing the natural flow of balance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-alebraheem/we-don-t-need-to-strive-towards-balance-we-rather-need-to-work-on-the/) [A.A. Alebraheem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-alebraheem/) > [I think that kind of balance comes with the process of growing together as a band, the Little Dragon. We love to write, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukimi-nagano/i-think-that-kind-of-balance-comes-with-the-process-of-growing/) [Yukimi Nagano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukimi-nagano/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [At times of recession, running a budget deficit is highly desirable. Once the economy begins to recover, you have to balance the budget. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/at-times-of-recession-running-a-budget-deficit-is-highly-desirable/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [It's my intention to make something stand outside the realm of album art, but it also feels comfortable to me to be in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/it-s-my-intention-to-make-something-stand-outside-the-realm-of-album/) [John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/) > [Once you've gotten your money in balance, you know how much you have to spend on things that are just fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/once-you-ve-gotten-your-money-in-balance-you-know-how-much-you-have/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [I never understood how much running changes your life. I'm now obsessed. When not trying to beat my personal best, I'm talking to other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiq-khan/i-never-understood-how-much-running-changes-your-life-i-m-now/) [Sadiq Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiq-khan/) > [Whatever needed to be done, I need to know how to do it just as well as my wife. You know, for us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isbell/whatever-needed-to-be-done-i-need-to-know-how-to-do-it-just-as-well/) [Jason Isbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isbell/) > [I don't think my parents would have let me go straight into acting full time when I was 12. I do like to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-don-t-think-my-parents-would-have-let-me-go-straight-into-acting/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [When it comes down to music, I have no balance. I am 100 percent. It is like full throttle. Five hundred miles an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanni/when-it-comes-down-to-music-i-have-no-balance-i-am-100-percent-it-is/) [Yanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanni/) [Browse all 5,166 Balance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The disastrous feature of our civilization is that it is far more developed materially than spiritually. 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