A stranger to myself and to the world, armed solely with a thought that negates itself as soon as it asserts, what is this condition in which I can have peace only by refusing to know and to live, in which the appetite for conquest bumps into walls that defy its assaults?
Interpretation
This quote reflects the struggle of self-awareness and the conflict between desire and reality.
In this thought-provoking quote, Albert Camus expresses the profound disconnection one may feel both within themselves and in relation to the world around them. He explores the paradox of existence, where the pursuit of understanding and conquest can lead to frustration and disillusionment, suggesting that true peace may come from acceptance and the avoidance of certain knowledge or experiences that challenge our inner turmoil.
In practice
In a discussion about the complexities of human emotions and existentialism.
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.
A weakened mind always sees everything through a black veil. The soul makes its own horizons; your soul is dark, which is why you see such a cloudy sky.
We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.
I want to be there for all those who are left behind in this world, whether it's because they are born poor, born a woman, or born in an area affected by devastation.
There is no health in those who are displeased by an element in Your creation, just as there was none in me when I was displeased by many things You had made. Because my soul didn't dare to say that my God displeased me, it refused to attribute to You whatever was displeasing.
There is nothing alive more agonized than man / of all that breathe and crawl across the earth.
We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour.
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