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A profound thought is in a constant state of becoming; it adopts the experience of a life and assumes its shape. Likewise, a man's sole creation is strengthened in its successive and multiple aspects: his works. One after another they complement one another, correct or overtake one another, contradict one another, too. If something brings creation to an end, it is not the victorious and illusory cry of the blinded artist: 'I have said everything,' but the death of the creator which closes his experiences and the book of his genius. That effort, that superhuman consciousness are not necessarily apparent to the reader. There is no mystery in human creation. Will performs this miracle. But at least there is no true creation without a secret. To be true, a succession of works can be but a series of approximations of the same thought. But it is possible to conceive of another type of creator proceeding by juxtaposition. Their words may seem to be devoid of inter-relations, to a certain degree, they are contradictory. But viewed all together, they resume their natural groupings.

Albert Camus#50

CamusCreationWorkCreativityThinkingEvolutionGrowthIdeas

About this quote

What does it mean?
A thought evolves through life, and true creation is a series of approximations.
In plain terms
Great thoughts change over time through works.
What can you take from it?
Let your ideas evolve through practice.

Where it applies

  • writing process
  • artistic growth
  • thinking

Putting it to work

  • revise continuously
  • accept imperfection

Questions to consider

  • How have your ideas changed?
  • Do you need to finish?

Another view

Some ideas remain static.

More from Albert Camus

  1. Of all the schools of patience and lucidity, creation is the most effective. It is also the staggering evidence of man's sole dignity: the dogged revolt agains…

    Permalink to quote #51
  2. To work and create 'for nothing,' to sculpture in clay, to know one's creation has no future, to see one's work destroyed in a day while being aware that funda…

    Permalink to quote #49
  3. Ironic philosophies produce passionate works. Any thought that abandons unity glorifies diversity! And diversity is the home of art. The only thought to libera…

    Permalink to quote #52

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