A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that

O seekers of truth, gather now, for I bring to you the words of a wise and compassionate man, Albert Schweitzer, whose life was a testament to the profound depth of ethical living. He spoke with clarity, saying: "A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men, and when he devotes himself helpfully to all life that is in need of help." These words, though spoken in modern times, resonate with the ancient truths of compassion, respect, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Let us delve into the heart of this teaching, for it speaks not just to the nature of human ethics, but to the very essence of what it means to live a life that is noble and true.

In the ancient world, the great philosophers often spoke of virtue and ethics, of living in harmony with the world and with all who inhabit it. Socrates, that wise figure of Athens, taught that true virtue lay in understanding the deep interconnectedness of all things, and the responsibility one had to both oneself and the world. But Schweitzer extends this teaching beyond the bounds of human interaction, to all living beings—plants, animals, and humankind. He reminds us that true ethical living is not merely about how we treat one another, but how we view and treat all life in its many forms. To see life as sacred, in all its expressions, is to live with a reverence that transcends the ordinary.

Consider, O children, the story of Gandhi, a man whose life exemplified the very spirit of this teaching. Gandhi did not only fight for the rights of his fellow men; he fought for the rights of all living creatures, recognizing the sanctity of life in every form. He was a man who advocated for ahimsa, non-violence, not only toward humans but toward all living beings. He saw the sacredness of life as one unified force, and through his actions, he demonstrated that true ethics demands respect for all forms of existence, not just those that directly serve or relate to our own needs. To live ethically, as Schweitzer teaches, is to live in harmony with all that is alive, nurturing, protecting, and sustaining life wherever it is found.

This teaching also finds its echo in the stories of ancient kings and rulers who understood that their dominion extended beyond the borders of their human subjects. Cyrus the Great, ruler of the Persian Empire, was known for his compassion toward the people he conquered, treating them with respect and recognizing the sanctity of life even in their cultures and religions. He understood that a true king rules not by domination, but by care, and that to live ethically meant to honor the life in all its forms, whether it walked on two legs or four, whether it grew from the earth or swam in the seas. In these examples, we see that true ethics is a harmony that flows from the understanding that all life is sacred, and that the role of the wise is to protect it.

O children of wisdom, Schweitzer calls us to a life of action, not just thought. To be ethical is not a matter of philosophical debate alone, but of practical engagement. It is not enough to declare life sacred; one must show it through acts of kindness, of compassion, of care for every living thing that shares this world with us. Just as Schweitzer devoted himself to the care of the sick in Africa, so too must we be ready to help all life in need. If we see an animal suffering, we must tend to it; if a plant is withering, we must nurture it; if our fellow men are in need, we must extend our hands. The ethical life is one of action, a life where every act—however small—has the power to honor the sacredness of existence.

The lesson here, O seekers, is clear: ethics is not an abstract concept; it is a way of living that honors the sanctity of life in all its forms. To be truly ethical is to recognize that all life—whether human, animal, or plant—is interconnected, and that every living being has intrinsic value. Just as Gandhi saw the world through the lens of non-violence, so too must we live with compassion, embracing every form of life with love and care. We must not shrink from this responsibility, for in doing so, we fail to honor the sacredness that binds us all.

Thus, let this wisdom guide you in all that you do: embrace the sanctity of life. Live not only for yourself, but for the life around you, for it is through our actions toward others—human and non-human—that we create a world of true ethics. Stand in reverence of all living things, and dedicate yourself to helping where help is needed, to healing where there is suffering, and to preserving the sacred balance of all that lives. In this, you will find the true path of ethical living, a path that brings harmony to your life and to the world.