He had opened his heart to the sublime indifference of the universe
Interpretation
The quote reflects a recognition of the universe's apathy towards human existence.
In this quote, Albert Camus captures the essence of existential thought, where one acknowledges the vastness of the universe and its indifference to individual human struggles and emotions. By 'opening his heart', the subject embraces this reality, suggesting a form of liberation or acceptance rather than despair, emphasizing the contrast between human longing for meaning and the uncaring nature of the cosmos.
In practice
In a conversation about existential struggles, one might say, 'He had opened his heart to the sublime indifference of the universe' to express acceptance of a larger reality.
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.
Voyagers discover that the world can never be larger than the person that is in the world; but it is impossible to foresee this, it is impossible to be warned.
The purpose of all wars, is peace.
Fraud is the ready minister of injustice.
Unless a writer is extremely old when he dies, in which case he has probably become a neglected institution, his death must always be seen as untimely. This is because a real writer is always shifting and changing and searching. The world has many labels for him, of which the most treacherous is the label of Success.
When air conditioning, escalators, and advertising appeared, shopping expanded its scale, but also limited its spontaneity. And it became much more predictable, almost scientific. What had once been the most surprising became the most manipulated.
Any religion is forever in danger of petrifaction into mere ritual and habit, though ritual and habit be essential to religion.
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