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From my first articles to my latest book I have written so much, and perhaps too much, only because I cannot keep from being drawn toward everyday life, toward those, whoever they may be, who are humiliated and debased. They need to hope, and if all keep silent or if they are given a choice between two kinds of humiliation, they will be forever deprived of hope and we with them.

Albert Camus#132

CamusJusticeHopeSufferingWritingSolidarity

About this quote

What does it mean?
Writing comes from a need to connect with suffering people and offer them hope. Silence deprives them of hope and us of humanity.
In plain terms
I write to help humiliated people find hope.
What can you take from it?
Use your voice to support the marginalized.

Where it applies

  • activism
  • public speaking
  • community work

Putting it to work

  • amplify voices
  • reject silence
  • offer hope

Questions to consider

  • Who needs your voice today?
  • Why does silence hurt?

Another view

Some situations cannot be fixed by words alone.

More from Albert Camus

  1. For twenty centuries the sum total of evil has not diminished in the world.

    Permalink to quote #131
  2. From the evening breeze to this hand on my shoulder, everything has its truth. Consciousness illuminates it by paying attention to it.

    Permalink to quote #133
  3. For some time the entire effort of our philosophers has aimed solely at replacing the notion of human nature with that of situation, and replacing ancient harm…

    Permalink to quote #130

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