Albert Camus

In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer

l ete

Our reason has driven all away. Alone at last, we end up by ruling over a desert.

the myth of sisyphus, p. 135

The historical spirit and the artist both want to remake the world. But the artist, through an obligation of his nature, knows his limits, which the historical spirit fails to recognize. This is why the latter’s aim is tyranny whereas the former’s passion is freedom.

the myth of sisyphus, p. 137

But this time is ours, and we cannot live hating ourselves.

the myth of sisyphus, p. 137

I want to know whether I can live with what I know and with that alone. I am told again that here the intelligence must sacrifice its pride and the reason bow down. But if I recognize the limits of the reason, I do not therefore negate it, recognizing its relative powers. I merely want to remain in this middle path where the intelligence can remain clear.

the myth of sisyphus, p. 30

Seeking what is true is not seeking what is desirable

the myth of sisyphus, p. 31

I can negate everything of that part of me that lives o n vague nostalgia, except this desire for unit, this longing to solve, this need for clarity and cohesion.

the myth of sisyphus, p. 38

[W]hat is called a reason for living is also an excellent reason for dying.

the myth of sisyphus, p. 4

If it were sufficient to love, things would be too easy.

the myth of sisyphus, p. 51

There is scarcely any passion without struggle.

the myth of sisyphus, p. 54

Like great works, deep feelings always mean more than they are conscious of saying.

the myth of sisyphus, p. 8

[M]an defines himself by his make-believe as well as by his sincere impulses

the myth of sisyphus, p. 9

There is no sun without shadow, and it is essential to know the night.

the myth of sisyphus, p. 91

The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’ s heart. One must imaging Sisyphus happy.

the myth of sisyphus, p. 91

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 plague

[T]o state quite simply what we learn in times of pestilence: that there are more things to admire in men than to despise.

the plague, p. 287

[P]erhaps the day would come when, for the bane and the enlightening of men, [the plague] would rouse up its rats again and send them forth to die in a happy city.

the plague, p. 287

[Father] Paneloux is a man of learning, a scholar. He hasn’t come in contact with death; that’s why he can speak with such assurance of the truth—with a capital T. But every country priest who visits his parishioners and has heard a man gasping for breath on his deathbed thinks as I do. He’d try to relieve human suffering before trying to point out its excellence. (Rieux)

the plague, p. 118

All I maintain is that on this earth there are pestilences and there are victims, and it’s up to us, so far as possible, not to join forces with the pestilences. (Tarrou)

the plague, p. 236