You cannot create experience. You must undergo it
— Mon Père et Moi, 1952
Camus highlights the importance of firsthand experience in shaping our understanding and growth.
Historical Figure
Albert Camus Quotes
French philosopher-writer on absurdity and human dignity
15 Curated Quotes
Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better
— Resistance, Rebellion, and Death
Camus explores themes of political and personal freedom, encouraging individuals to use their autonomy for self-improvement.
Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is
— The Myth of Sisyphus
Camus discusses the existential disconnect between human aspirations and reality, emphasizing the struggle of identity.
A man is more a man through the things he keeps to himself than through those he says.
— The Fall
Explores themes of confession and self-awareness, asking what it truly means to know oneself.
A guilty conscience needs to confess
— The Fall
Through the dialogue of Jean-Baptiste Clamence, Camus delves into the nature of guilt and the human compulsion to admit one's wrongdoings.
To create is to live twice
— Notebooks 1935-1951
Camus reflects on the enduring power of art and creativity to give life new significance.
The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion
— Octopus Magazine, 1957
Camus emphasizes the power of individual freedom as a response to societal constraints.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
— The Stranger
Camus highlights the human capacity to find peace amidst turmoil, emphasizing the inner strength of individuals.
Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle.
— Resistance, Rebellion, and Death
Advocates for cultural freedom as essential for the development and progress of society.
Blessed are the hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken
— A Happy Death, 1939
A reflection on adaptability and resilience, maintaining one's essence amid life's challenges.
There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide.
— The Myth of Sisyphus
Camus tackles the existential question of life's meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.
— The Myth of Sisyphus
Reflects Camus' philosophy of embracing the absurd and finding meaning in the struggle of life itself.
What is a rebel? A man who says no
— The Rebel, 1951
A definition of rebellion as an assertion and defense of personal values against oppression.
Lack of hope does not consist in despairing, but in ceasing to love and ethically withdrawing from the world
— Summer in Algiers
In his essays, Camus examines hope, love, and social engagement as antidotes to existential resignation.
In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer
— Return to Tipasa, 1952
A testament to the inner strength and enduring hope found even in harsh circumstances.