My chief occupation, despite appearances, has always been love.
Interpretation
The primary focus of my life has been love, even if it seems otherwise.
In this quote, Albert Camus emphasizes that love is the core purpose of his life, suggesting that despite any outward distractions or occupations, the essence of his being is centered around love. This reflects the importance of love as a driving force in life, highlighting how it shapes one's experiences and intentions, often beneath the surface of everyday actions and roles.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of relationships, one might use this quote to emphasize what truly matters.
The Poor Man whom everyone speaks of, the Poor Man whom everyone pities, one of the repulsive Poor from whom charitable souls keep their distance, he has still said nothing. Or, rather, he has spoken through the voice of Victor Hugo, Zola, Richepin. At least, they said so. And these shameful impostures fed their authors. Cruel irony, the Poor Man tormented with hunger feeds those who plead his case.
The certainty of a God giving meaning to life far surpasses in attractiveness the ability to behave badly with impunity. The choice would not be hard to make. But there is no choice and that is where the bitterness comes in. The absurd does not liberate; it binds.
Between history and the eternal I have chosen history because I like certainties. Of it, at least, I am certain, and how can I deny this force crushing me.
Don't wait for the last judgment - it takes place every day.
A single sentence will suffice for modern man. He fornicated and read the papers. After that vigorous definition, the subject will be, if I may say so, exhausted.
At times I feel myself overtaken by an immense tenderness for these people around me who live in the same century.
Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise then you will discover the fullness of your life.
As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away.
I don't want to turn any of this into poetry / but / you're so beautiful / flowers turn their heads to smell you
In order not to suffer, you had to renounce love. It was like putting out your own eyes in order not to see the bad things in life.
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father refuse thy name, thou art thyself thou not a montegue, what is montegue? tis nor hand nor foot nor any other part belonging to a man What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, So Romeo would were he not Romeo called retain such dear perfection to which he owes without that title, Romeo, Doth thy name! And for that name which is no part of thee, take all thyself.
Kindness is the light that dissolves all walls between souls, families, and nations.
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