Don't wait for the last judgment - it takes place every day.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the idea that our daily actions and choices constantly shape our character and perceptions, rather than waiting for a final judgment.
Albert Camus suggests that we should not postpone our evaluations of ourselves and our actions until a distant or ultimate time, as life requires us to assess our choices and their repercussions each day. This perspective encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and recognize the importance of their daily moral decisions, reinforcing the notion that we are often our own judges.
In practice
In a motivational speech about self-improvement and personal accountability.
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.
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.
More and more, revolution has found itself delivered into the hands of its bureaucrats and doctrinaires on the one hand, and to the enfeebled and bewildered masses on the other.
How strange it is that people of honest feelings and sensibilty, who would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs or eyesβhow such people think nothing of abusing a man with low intelligence.
The church is like a swimming pool. Most of the noise comes from the shallow end.
Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again.
Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy.
While the goal of the American dream is to make much of us, the goal of the gospel is to make much of God.
Everything gives way before the recurring torment and festivity of passion.
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