On the whole, men are more good than bad; that, however, isn't the real point. But they are more or less ignorant, and it is this that we call vice or virtue; the most incorrigible vice being that of an ignorance that fancies it knows everything and therefore claims for itself the right to kill. The soul of the murderer is blind; and there can be no true goodness nor true love without the utmost clear-sightedness.
Interpretation
Ignorance is a significant obstacle to true goodness and love.
In this quote, Albert Camus emphasizes that while human beings may generally possess goodness, it is their ignorance that leads to vices. The inability to see clearly and understand the world results in false perceptions of oneself and others, which can lead to destructive actions, such as violence. Camus argues that genuine goodness and love cannot flourish without a clear understanding of reality, highlighting the importance of knowledge and awareness.
In practice
In a debate about morality, I might use this quote to illustrate the dangers of ignorance.
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 lose your individuality a huge amount when you have no money, and I certainly had that experience.
By deafening ourselves to the emotional consequences of violence we have become confused by its relationship to sex. We have come to believe that violence equals aggression, and we have come to base our model of sexuality on our model of violence... converting an act of aggression into an act of consensual sexuality.
The future does not exist, because nobody has ever experienced it. You can only ever experience a present moment.
In a higher phase of communist society... only then can the narrow horizon of bourgeois right be fully left behind and society inscribe on its banners: from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.
Both happiness and unhappiness depend on perception
The society exists for the benefit of its members; not its members for the benefit of the society.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.