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The man who dares to live his life with death before his eyes, the man who receives life back bit by bit and lives as though it did not belong to him by right but has been bestowed on him as a gift, the man who has such freedom and peace of mind that he has overcome death in his thoughts - such a man believes in eternal life because it is already his, it is a present experience, and he already benefits from its peace and joy. He cannot describe this experience in words. He may not be able to conform his view with the traditional picture of it. But one thing he knows for certain: Something within us does not pass away, something goes on living and working wherever the kingdom of the spirit is present. It is already working and living within us, because in our hearts we have been able to reach life by overcoming death.

Albert Schweitzer#60

LifeFaithPeacePurposeDeathInner peace

About this quote

What does it mean?
Facing death freely transforms life into a gift, creating peace and a sense of eternal presence beyond physical limits.
In plain terms
Accepting death brings peace and makes life feel eternal.
What can you take from it?
Live as a gift to overcome fear and find peace.

Where it applies

  • end of life
  • fear of death
  • spiritual seeking

Putting it to work

  • reflect on mortality
  • live gratefully
  • overcome fear

Questions to consider

  • How does thinking about death change your life?
  • What gives you a sense of eternity?

Another view

Not everyone finds peace through confronting death directly.

More from Albert Schweitzer

  1. Whoever has looked into the eyes of Jesus as he appears to us in his words knows that true happiness consists of service to this great One and his Spirit - and…

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  2. 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 …

    Permalink to quote #61
  3. Those who thank God much are the truly wealthy. So our inner happiness depends not on what we experience but on the degree of our gratitude to God, whatever th…

    Permalink to quote #58

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