Albert Camus Quotes, born November 7, 1913, in Mondovi, Algeria, and died January 4, 1960, was a French philosopher, author, and Nobel Prize-winning novelist known for his existential and absurdist works. His novels, including The Stranger (1942) and The Plague (1947), and essays like The Myth of Sisyphus (1942), explore the human condition, the search for meaning, and resistance to despair. A key figure in 20th-century literature, Camus blended stark realism with profound hope. These 15 quotes—sourced from his writings, interviews, and public statements—reflect his insights on life, freedom, and the absurd, capturing his lucid and defiant spirit.
15 Albert Camus Quotes
- “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” (Return to Tipasa, 1952)
- “Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” (The Fall, 1956)
- “Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is.” (The Myth of Sisyphus, 1942)
- “You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.” (The Myth of Sisyphus, 1942)
- “The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” (The Stranger, 1942)
- “There is no love of life without despair of life.” (Lyrical and Critical Essays, 1967)
- “I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t, than live as if there isn’t and to die to find out that there is.” (The Fall, 1956)
- “We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn.” (The Myth of Sisyphus, 1942)
- “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” (Resistance, Rebellion, and Death, 1960)
- “To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.” (The Fall, 1956)
- “One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” (The Myth of Sisyphus, 1942)
- “The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth.” (The Myth of Sisyphus, 1942)
- “There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” (The Myth of Sisyphus, 1942)
- “A man’s work is nothing but this slow trek to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three great and simple images in whose presence his heart first opened.” (Lyrical and Critical Essays, 1967)
- “Live to the point of tears.” (The Wrong Side and the Right Side, 1937)
Albert Camus’ quotes are a haunting blend of existential clarity, rebellious hope, and poetic intensity, urging readers to confront life’s absurdities with courage and authenticity. Which one’s got you rethinking your own invincible summer? Drop it in the comments and keep his philosophical legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com
