Opinions differ as to the reasons why he became the futile laborer of the underworld. To begin with, he is accused of a certain levity in regard to the gods. He stole their secrets.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Sisyphus is punished for stealing secrets from gods and showing disrespect.
- In plain terms
- He was punished for disrespecting the gods and taking their secrets.
- What can you take from it?
- Disrespecting authority can lead to eternal struggle.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why was he punished?
- What do the secrets represent?
Another view
This myth may justify divine punishment unfairly.
More from Albert Camus
The gods had condemned Sisyphus to ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain, whence the stone would fall back of its own weight. They had thought wi…
Permalink to quote #60 Homer tells us also that Sisyphus had put Death in chains. Pluto could not endure the sight of his deserted, silent empire. He dispatched the god of war, who l…
Permalink to quote #62 This was her finest role and the hardest one to play. Choosing between heaven and a ridiculous fidelity, preferring oneself to eternity or losing oneself in Go…
Permalink to quote #59
Related quotes
Let's reinvent the gods, all the myths of the ages Celebrate symbols from deep elder forests
Jim MorrisonJim Morrison quote #31 Men create the gods in their own image.
XenophanesXenophanes quote #1 The will of Zeus was accomplished.
HomerHomer quote #1