Albert Schweitzer quotes
1875 – 1965 · 20th century · Theologian, philosopher, physician, organist, musicologist and humanitarian
About Albert Schweitzer
Born in 1875 in Alsace, Schweitzer combined scholarship and practice: he wrote influential theological and Bach studies, then trained in medicine to work as a missionary doctor in Gabon. He developed the ethic of "Reverence for Life" and ran the Lambaréné hospital for decades, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952.
Works: The Quest of the Historical Jesus; The Philosophy of Civilization; Out of My Life and Thought
Quotes
“No ray of sunlight is ever lost, but the green which it awakes into existence needs time to sprout, and it is not always granted to the sower to see the harvest. All work that is worth anything is done in faith.”
Source: no specific work is documented · Check the source
Disputed attributionWhat we know
- What is documented
- The wording is commonly published under Albert Schweitzer’s name and appears in a German form attributed to him, but no authenticated primary text has been found.
- What remains uncertain
- Quotation databases and later collections reproduce the line, yet they are secondary sources; the English phrasing may be a translation or editorial assembly rather than a verified original.
The image of sunlight awakening unseen green suggests meaningful actions often bear fruit only later. It urges steady, ethical work without promise of recognition. The line is commonly linked to Albert Schweitzer, but no primary source has been firmly established.