Quote #214

The triumph of the man who kills or tortures is marred by only one shadow: he is unable to feel that he is innocent. Thus, he must create guilt in his victim so that, in a world that has no direction, universal guilt will authorize no other course of action than the use of force and give its blessing to nothing but success. When the concept of innocence disappears from the mind of the innocent victim himself, the value of power establishes a definitive rule over a world in despair.

More from Albert Camus

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  2. The unbeliever cannot keep from thinking that men who have set at the center of their faith the staggering victim of a judicial error ought…
  3. The real universe which, by its radiance, calls forth bodies and statues receives from them at the same time a second light that determines…
  4. There always comes a time when one must choose between contemplation and action. This is called becoming a man.
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  6. There are means that cannot be excused.
  7. The philosopher, even if he is Kant, is a creator.
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All Albert Camus quotes