At times I feel myself overtaken by an immense tenderness for these people around me who live in the same century.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a deep compassion for the shared experiences of humanity.
In this quote, Albert Camus reflects on the profound emotional connection he feels towards those who share his time and place in history. This tenderness indicates an awareness of the struggles, joys, and shared realities of human existence, inviting a sense of unity and empathy among individuals living in the same era, highlighting the importance of collective human experience.
In practice
In a speech about community support, one could use the quote to emphasize the importance of our shared human experiences.
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.
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.
And one more idea which may be laughed and sneered at in some supposedly sophisticated circles, but I just have to believe that the loving God who has blessed this land and thus made us a good and caring people should never have been expelled from America's classrooms. It's time to welcome Him back, because whenever we've opened ourselves and trusted in Him, we've gained not only moral courage but intellectual strength.
Well, if crime fighters fight crime and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight?
Of course I don't believe in it [pointing to horseshoe on his office wall]. But I understand that it brings you luck whether you believe in it or not.
Day to day and doing the work and getting to that honest point - that, for me, is always about - and always will be as long as I do this - refining and refining and refining and refining the truth... constantly being as truthful and honest and raw and real as you can be.
I almost think that hope is for the soul what breathing is for the living organism. Where hope is lacking the soul dries up and withers.
To practice Aikido fully you must calm the spirit and go back to the origin.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.