The role of the intellectual cannot be to excuse the violence of one side and condemn that of the other.
Interpretation
Intellectuals should not take sides in conflicts but instead seek to understand and promote justice.
In this quote, Albert Camus emphasizes that true intellectuals have a responsibility to remain impartial in conflicts, rejecting any justification for violence on either side. By advocating for a balanced perspective, he encourages individuals to pursue truth and justice rather than simply siding with one party, which fosters division and perpetuates violence.
In practice
In a debate on social justice, one could use this quote to argue for neutrality and understanding.
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.
I wanted my own words. But the ones I use have dragged through I don't know how many consciences.
The poor are great! The poor are wonderful! The poor are very generous! They give us much more than what we give them.
The difference is that these young people take it for granted that they're going to get whatever they want, and that we almost always took it for granted that we shouldn't. Only, I wonderβthe thing one's so certain of in advance: can it ever make one's heart beat as wildly?
But Valentine, why despair, why always paint the future in such sombre hues?" Maximilien asked. "Because, my friend, I judge it by the past.
On a cosmic scale, our life is insignificant, yet this brief period when we appear in the world is the time in which all meaningful questions arise.
And we have made of ourselves living cesspools, and driven doctors to invent names for our diseases.
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