Albert Camus Quotes

A collection of quotes by Albert Camus.

Albert Camus (1913-1960) was a renowned French philosopher, author, and journalist. He was born on November 7, 1913, in Mondovi, French Algeria, which is present-day DrÃ©an, Algeria. Camus' father died during World War I, and he grew up in poverty, moving frequently between Algiers and various French cities.

Camus gained prominence for his philosophical contributions and his literary works, which often explored themes of existentialism and the human condition. He is best known for his novels, including "The Stranger" (1942) and "The Plague" (1947), which remain widely read and studied to this day. Camus' writing style was characterized by clear prose and a concise use of language.

In addition to his literary achievements, Camus was actively engaged in political and social issues. He was associated with the French resistance during World War II and later became a prominent advocate for peace during the Algerian War of Independence. His critical stance towards both communism and capitalism earned him widespread admiration and criticism.

Unfortunately, Camus' life was cut short when he died in a car accident near Sens, France, on January 4, 1960, at the age of 46. However, his body of work continues to resonate with readers and intellectuals across the world, making him one of the most influential writers and thinkers of the 20th century.

Then came human beings, they wanted to cling but there was n

Then came human beings, they wanted to cling but there was nothing to cling to. Thus I progressed on the surface of life, in the realm of words as it were, never in reality. All those books barely read, those friends barely loved, those cities barely visited, those women barely possessed! I went through the gestures out of boredom or absent-mindedness. Then came the human beings, they wanted to cling, but there was nothing to cling to, and that was unfortunate - for them. As for me, I forgot. I never remembered anything but myself.

People don't love each other at our age they please each ot

People don't love each other at our age they please each other, that's all. Later on when you're old and impotent, you can love somebody. At our age, you just think you do. That's all it is.

In default of inexhaustible happiness, eternal suffering wou

In default of inexhaustible happiness, eternal suffering would at least give us a destiny. But we do not even have that consolation, and our worst agonies come to an end one day.

But what then is capital punishment but the most premeditate

But what then is capital punishment but the most premeditated of murders, to which no criminal's deed, however calculated it may be, can be compared? For there to be equivalence, the death penalty would have to punish a criminal who had warned his victim of the date at which he would inflict a horrible death on him and who, from that moment onward, had confined him at his mercy for months. Such a monster is not encountered in private life.

There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.

There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.

The evil that is in the world almost always comes from ignor

The evil that is in the world almost always comes from ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding.

True debauchery is liberating because it creates no obligati

True debauchery is liberating because it creates no obligations. In it you possess only yourself; hence it remains the favorite pastime of the great lovers of their own person

Friendship often ends in love but love in friendship never.

Friendship often ends in love but love in friendship never.

To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.

To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.

When you have once seen the glow of happiness on the face of

When you have once seen the glow of happiness on the face of a belovedperson, you know that a man can have no vocation but to awaken thatlight on the faces surrounding him; and you are torn by the thought ofthe unhappiness and night you cast, by the mere fact of living, in thehearts you encounter.

You can't create experience, you undergo it.

You can't create experience, you undergo it.

Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is.

Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is.

What is a rebel? A man who says no

What is a rebel? A man who says no

Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the

Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present.

Some people talk in their sleep. Lecturers talk while other

Some people talk in their sleep. Lecturers talk while other people sleep.

Don't walk behind me I may not lead. Don't walk in front of

Don't walk behind me I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Without freedom, no art art lives only on the restraints it

Without freedom, no art art lives only on the restraints it imposes on itself, and dies of all others.

You know what charm is a way of getting the answer yes witho

You know what charm is a way of getting the answer yes without having asked any clear question.

I don't want to be a genius-I have enough problems just tryi

I don't want to be a genius-I have enough problems just trying to be a man.

What is a rebel A man who says no.

What is a rebel A man who says no.