I just finished 'The Rebel' by Nobel Prize winning author Albert Camus. The title, from the French, could also be translated 'Man in Revolt.' L'Homme Re'volte' written in 1956 is an essay about man's tendency toward revolt...both physical and metaphysical. Camus stresses man's dignity and freedom against the 1950's threat of communistic domination. 'The Rebel' is a heavy read...but ultimately inspiring. Here are some selected quotes..."Philosophy can be used for any purpose-even for transforming murderers into judges."
"If we believe in nothing, if nothing has any meaning and if we affirm no values whatsoever, then everything is possible and nothing has any importance."
"We shall then decide not to act at all, which amounts to at least accepting the murder of others."
"To live is, in itself, a value judgement."
"To remain silent is to give the impression that one has no opinions, that one wants nothing, and in certain cases it really amounts to wanting nothing."
"Humanity is loved in general in order to avoid having to love anybody in particular."
"In a world entirely dominated by history, which ours threatens to become, there are no longer any mistakes, but only crimes, of which the greatest is moderation."
"From the moment you accept murder, even if only once, you must allow it universally."
"All the knowledge in the world is not worth a child's tears."
"Consequences always follow principles."
"An end that requires unjust means is not a just end."
"The land of humanism has become the Europe of today, the land of inhumanity."
"History without a value to transfigure it, is controlled by the law of expediency."
"If the rebel makes no choice, he chooses silence and the slavery of others."
