We continue to shape our personality all our life. If we knew ourselves perfectly, we should die.
Interpretation
We are constantly evolving and developing our character throughout our lives, and complete self-understanding would symbolize the end of personal growth.
This quote by Albert Camus suggests that the journey of self-discovery and personal development is a lifelong process. To fully understand ourselves could imply the cessation of growth and exploration, as life is about uncovering new facets of our personality and experiences. Hence, continuous change and introspection are essential components of our existence.
In practice
In a motivational speech about continuous self-improvement.
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.
Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience; it is purchased by the blood of the Son of God. Thinking that we can trade our good works for salvation is like buying a plane ticket and then supposing we own the airline. Or thinking that after paying rent for our home, we now hold title to the entire planet earth.
There's that popular misconception of man as something between a brute and an angel. Actually man is in transit between brute and God.
The universe has a body and soul and evolves through cosmic time. As microcosms of stardust, we do the same.
There will be no major solution to the suffering of humanity until we reach some understanding of who we are, what the purpose of creation was, what happens after death. Until those questions are resolved we are caught.
Secrecy involves a tension which, at the moment of revelation, finds its release.
You couldn't be more wrong," I said. "You are buying into the cross-stitched sentiments of your parents' throw pillows. You're arguing that the fragile, rare thing is beautiful simply because it is fragile and rare. But that's a lie, and you know it." "You're a hard person to comfort," Augustus said. "Easy comfort isn't comforting," I said.
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