More and more, revolution has found itself delivered into the hands of its bureaucrats and doctrinaires on the one hand, and to the enfeebled and bewildered masses on the other.
Interpretation
Revolution often becomes controlled by those in power, leaving the masses confused and weakened.
In this quote, Albert Camus highlights the irony that revolutions, which are typically driven by the desire for change and liberation, often end up in the control of bureaucrats and ideological leaders. This shift results in the original revolutionary spirit being dulled, as the common people find themselves lost and disempowered, unable to navigate the complexities that come with such political upheaval.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the impact of leadership on social movements during a political science class.
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.
Fairness is a concept that holds only in limited situations. Yet we want the concept to extend to everything, in and out of phase. From snails to hardware stores to married life. Maybe no one finds it, or even misses it, but fairness is like love. What is given has nothing to do with what we seek.
Tempus edax rerum. Time the devourer of everything.
Itβs a very difficult era in which to be a person, just a real, actual person, instead of a collection of personality traits selected from an endless Automat of characters.
If you can let go of (the Tao) with your mind and surround it with your heart, it will live inside you forever.
There is a God-shaped vacuum in every heart.
The very ink with which history is written is merely fluid prejudice.
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