All men have a sweetness in their life. That is what helps them go on. It is towards that they turn when they feel too worn out.
Interpretation
The quote highlights that every individual possesses an inherent goodness or sweetness that motivates them, especially during tough times.
In this quote, Albert Camus emphasizes the essential human quality of seeking positivity and sweetness in life as a source of strength and resilience. He suggests that when faced with challenges or exhaustion, people naturally gravitate towards the uplifting aspects of their existence, which provide comfort and motivation to continue their journey.
In practice
During a motivational speech about resilience, one could quote this to inspire others.
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.
When you're young you think that you're going to sail into a lovely lake of quietude and peace. This is profoundly untrue.
you're never more alive than when you're almost dead.
Grief is the agony of an instant. The indulgence of grief the blunder of a life.
Here, with whitened hair, desires failing, strength ebbing out of him, with the sun gone down and with only the serenity and the calm warning of the evening star left to him, he drank to Life, to all it had been, to what it was, to what it would be. Hurrah!
It's the circle of life, and it moves us all, through despair and hope, through faith and love, 'till we find our place, on the path unwinding.
Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
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