Seeking what is true is not seeking what is desirable.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the distinction between truth and desire, suggesting that the pursuit of truth may not align with what we wish to believe or attain.
In this quote, Albert Camus highlights the philosophical struggle between the pursuit of truth and the naturally human inclination towards seeking out what we find desirable or comforting. He suggests that understanding and accepting reality often requires confronting uncomfortable truths, rather than allowing our desires to dictate our perceptions of what is true. This notion challenges people to prioritize authenticity and honesty over the allure of convenience or pleasure.
In practice
In a debate on ethics, one might quote Camus to stress the importance of facing uncomfortable truths over pandering to popular beliefs.
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.
We thought we were the only thinking beings in the universe, until we met you, but never did we dream that thought could arise from the lonely animals who cannot dream each other's dreams
To the ego, the present moment hardly exists. Only past and future are considered important.
God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law. Let the sky and God be our limit and Eternity our measurement.
If watching television doesn't hasten death, it surely manages to make death very inviting; for television so shamelessly sentimentalizes and romanticizes death that it makes the living feel they have missed something - just by staying alive.
If you've gotta think about being cool, you ain't cool.
One should always have one's boots on and be ready to leave.
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