The real passion of the twentieth century is servitude.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that the dominant drive of the twentieth century was a willingness to serve others, often at the expense of personal freedom.
Albert Camus argues that the essence of the twentieth century can be seen in the phenomenon of servitude, where individuals often succumb to the demands of society, authority, or ideology. This servitude reflects a deeper existential struggle, as people grapple with their roles and responsibilities while sacrificing their own autonomy for allegiance to larger systems or beliefs. Camus highlights the tension between the human desire for freedom and the reality of living within societal constraints.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the impact of societal pressures on individual freedom during a philosophy class.
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.
You make a deal. You figure out how much sin you can live with.
If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers.
I'm interested in non-fiction, but a form of it which is very badly behaved, which doesn't define itself as straight-ahead journalism or memoir. It blurs boundaries, plays fast and loose with the truth - not to be silly, whimsical or lazy, but to get greater purchase on what it feels like to be alive.
Ah! Wretched and too solitary he who loves not his own company.
We are, quite literally, gambling with the future of our planet- for the sake of hamburgers
Each of your breaths is a priceless jewel, since each of them is irreplaceable and once gone, can never be retrieved.
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