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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.

Albert Schweitzer#61

PeaceSoulHarmTemptation

About this quote

What does it mean?
Healthy spirits overcome temptations; what matters is not actions but whether your soul is harmed by them.
In plain terms
Don't worry about temptations; worry if they hurt your soul.
What can you take from it?
Protect your soul from harm more than your actions.

Where it applies

  • moral choices
  • personal struggles
  • life transitions

Putting it to work

  • check soul harm
  • overcome temptations
  • prioritize inner peace

Questions to consider

  • How do you protect your soul?
  • What harms you deeply?

Another view

Actions can harm others even if soul seems unharmed.

More from Albert Schweitzer

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  2. Don't let your hearts grow numb. Stay alert. It is your soul which matters.

    Permalink to quote #62
  3. 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…

    Permalink to quote #59

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