Albert Camus (1913-1960)

Albert Camus was a French philosopher, novelist, author, dramatist, journalist, world federalist, and political activist. He was the recipient of the 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature at the age of 44, the second-youngest recipient in history, and the first laureate in literature born in Africa. His works include The Stranger, The Plague, The Myth of Sisyphus, The Fall and The Rebel.

Quotes

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.

Summer, Winter
In the depth of winter, I learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
I have never been able, really, to regret anything in all my life. I have always been far much too absorbed in the present moment or the immediate future to think back.
If there is a sin against life, it consists perhaps not so much in despairing of life as in hoping for another life and in eluding the implacable grandeur of this life.
In the vast reaches of the dry, cold night, thousands of stars were constantly appearing, and their sparkling icicles, loosened at once, began to slip gradually toward the horizon.
Live to the point of tears.
Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.
There are always reasons for murdering a man. But there is no justification for his existence.
I shall tell you a great secret, my friend. Do not wait for the last judgment, it takes place every day.
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

Autumn, Flowers
Love is the kind of illness that does not spare the inteligent or the dull.
We only know of one duty, and that is to love.

Duty
But in the end one needs more courage to live than to kill himself.
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend.
It is natural to give a clear view of the world after accepting the idea that it must be clear.
All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning.

Thoughts
I see many people die because they judge that life is not worth living. I see others paradoxically gettin killed for the ideas or illusions that give them a reason for living (what is called a reason for living is also an excellent reason for dying). I therefore conclude that the meaning of life is the most urgent of questions.
There is but one truly philosophical problem, and that is suicide.
Charm is a way of getting the answer yes without asking a clear question.

Charm
Too many have dispensed with generosity in order to practice charity.

Charity