To feel absolutely right is the beginning of the end.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that certainty can lead to stagnation and the end of exploration or growth.
Albert Camus implies that when one feels completely certain and right about something, it may hinder further questioning and growth. This absolute confidence can result in a closed mindset, where new ideas and perspectives are not considered, ultimately leading to the end of progress and understanding. The quest for knowledge and truth requires an openness to challenge one's beliefs and to embrace uncertainty.
In practice
In a discussion about the importance of keeping an open mind during a debate.
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.
Religion increasingly is tending to degenerate into a decent formula wherewith to embellish a comfortable life.
Botvinnik tried to take the mystery out of Chess, always relating it to situations in ordinary life. He used to call chess a typical inexact problem similar to those which people are always having to solve in everyday life.
To live in the Great Way is neither easy nor difficult, but those with limited views are fearful and irresolute: the faster they hurry, the slower they go, and clinging cannot be limited: even to be attached to the idea of enlightenment is to go astray. Just let things be in their own way and there will be neither coming nor going. Obey the nature of things (your own nature), and you will walk freely and undisturbed.
The greatest obstacle in the apostolate of the Church is the timidity or rather the cowardice of the faithful.
There are no masses; there are only ways of seeing people as masses
The Convention thought it wrong to admit in the Constitution the idea that there could be property in men.
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