There is no sun without shadow, and it is essential to know the night.
Interpretation
Understanding the contrast between light and darkness is essential for appreciating the fullness of experience.
This quote by Albert Camus suggests that one cannot fully appreciate joy and brightness (the 'sun') without also acknowledging and experiencing sorrow and darkness (the 'shadow'). It implies that both positive and negative experiences are essential to understanding and valuing life as a whole, and embracing the complexity of existence enhances our perspective.
In practice
Use this quote during a discussion about the importance of accepting both good and bad experiences in life.
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.
I don't go by my caste, creed or religion. My works speak for me.
Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax.
If you have not discovered something you are willing to die for, then you are not fit to live.
A world in which there are monsters, and ghosts, and things that want to steal your heart is a world in which there are angels, and dreams and a world in which there is hope.
I care not so much what I am to others as what I am to myself. I will be rich by myself, and not by borrowing.
Even if there is only one possible unified theory, it is just a set of rules and equations. What is it that breathes fire into the equations and makes a universe for them to describe?
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