As soon as man does not take his existence for granted, but beholds it as something unfathomably mysterious, thought begins.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing the mystery of existence, which leads to deeper thinking about life.
Albert Schweitzer suggests that when individuals stop taking their existence for granted and begin to see it as a profound mystery, it sparks a process of thoughtful inquiry. By acknowledging the enigmatic nature of life, they open themselves up to deeper reflection and understanding, which can ultimately lead to personal and existential growth.
In practice
This quote can be used in a philosophical debate about the nature of existence.
I do not want to frighten you by telling you about the temptations life will bring. Anyone who is healthy in spirit will overcome them. But there is something I want you to realize. It does not matter so much what you do. What matters is whether your soul is harmed by what you do. If your soul is harmed, something irreparable happens, the extent of which you won't realize until it will be too late.
Within every patient there resides a doctor, and we as physicians are at our best when we we put our patients in touch with the doctor inside themselves.
By ethical conduct toward all creatures, we enter into a spiritual relationship with the universe.
No one can give a definition of the soul. But we know what it feels like. The soul is the sense of something higher than ourselves, something that stirs in us thoughts, hopes, and aspirations which go out to the world of goodness, truth and beauty. The soul is a burning desire to breathe in this world of light and never to lose it--to remain children of light.
The mistake made by all previous systems of ethics has been the failure to recognize that life as such is the mysterious value with which they have to deal. All spiritual life meets us within natural life. Reverence for life, therefore, is applied to natural life and spiritual life alike. In the parable of Jesus, the shepherd saves not merely the soul of the lost sheep but the whole animal. The stronger the reverence for natural life, the stronger grows also that for spiritual life.
The willow which bends to the tempest, often escapes better than the oak which resists it; and so in great calamities, it sometimes happens that light and frivolous spirits recover their elasticity and presence of mind sooner than those of a loftier character.
Toleration and liberty are the foundations of a great republic.
The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish desires and schemes that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For love of money is the root of all of evil and some having pursued its power, fall from faith and end in sorrow.
The laws only can determine the punishment of crimes, and the authority of making penal laws can only reside with the legislator, who represents the whole society united by the social compact.
Half the world cries Half the world laughs Half the world tries To be the other half
No intelligent man will ever be so bold as to put into language those things which his reason has contemplated.
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