“Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.”

— Albert Schweitzer

Last update Sept. 28, 2023. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing." by Albert Schweitzer?

Albert Schweitzer 126

French-German physician, theologian, musician and philosoph… 1875–1965

Related quotes

“Example is not the main thing. It is the only thing. That is, if the one giving the example is not saying to himself, 'Behold I am giving an example.' That spoils it. Anyone thinking of the example he will give to others has lost his simplicity. Only as a man has simplicity can his example influence others.”

Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French-German physician, theologian, musician and philosopher

Sometimes presented in paraphrased form, such as "Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing" https://books.google.com/books?id=5Za7o6teOHoC&pg=PR18&dq=%22example+is+not+the+main+thing%22+schweitzer&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFh4m9vqvMAhUG02MKHRqZDtsQ6AEIMzAE#v=onepage&q=%22example%20is%20not%20the%20main%20thing%22%20&f=false.
God's Own Man (1952)

“Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others, it is the only means.”

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born physicist and founder of the theory of relativity

The original: "Example is not the main thing. It is the only thing. That is, if the one giving the example is not saying to himself, 'Behold I am giving an example." That spoils it. Anyone thinking of the example he will give to others has lost his simplicity. Only as a man has simplicity can his example influence others" is a quote by Albert Schweitzer, from a 1952 interview in United Nations World magazine https://books.google.com/books?id=qTAoAAAAMAAJ&q=%22example+is+not+the+main+thing%22&dq=%22example+is+not+the+main+thing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjz7f_2v6vMAhUJxmMKHeEAB-QQ6AEIHDAA. Not attributed to Einstein until the 1990s https://books.google.com/books?id=JdRZAAAAYAAJ&q=%22example+is+not+the+main+thing%22+einstein&dq=%22example+is+not+the+main+thing%22+einstein&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwif56qcwqvMAhXGMGMKHST5DRIQ6AEIHTAA.
Misattributed

“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

Stephen R. Covey (1932–2012) American educator, author, businessman and motivational speaker

“The main things which seem to me important on their own account, and not merely as means to other things, are knowledge, art, instinctive happiness, and relations of friendship or affection.”

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) logician, one of the first analytic philosophers and political activist

“One learns from books and example only that certain things can be done. Actual learning requires that you do those things.”

Frank Herbert book Children of Dune

Source: Children of Dune

“The example of great and pure characters is the only thing that can produce fine ideas and noble deeds.”

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born physicist and founder of the theory of relativity

"Einstein's Reply to Criticisms" (1949), The World As I See It (1949)
Context: I am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can help humanity forward, even in the hands of the most devoted worker in this cause. The example of great and pure characters is the only thing that can produce fine ideas and noble deeds. Money only appeals to selfishness and always tempts its owners irresistibly to abuse it.
Can anyone imagine Moses, Jesus, or Gandhi armed with the money-bags of Carnegie?