If God did not exist, we should have to invent him. If God did exist, we should have to abolish Him.

There is a metaphysical honour in ending the world's absurdity. Conquest or play-acting, multiple loves, absurd revolt are tributes that man pays to his dignity in a campaign in which he is defeated in advance.... War cannot be negated. One must live it or die of it. So it is with the absurd: it is a question of breathing with it, of recognizing its lessons and recovering their flesh. In this regard the absurd joy par excellence is creation. "Art and nothing but art", said Nietzsche, "we have art in order not to die of the truth."

My profession lent itself nicely to my vocation for heights. It freed me of any bitterness towards my fellow men, who were alwaysin my debt, without my owing them anything. It placed me above the judge whom, I in turn judged, above the defendant whom I forced into gratitude.

And it was like knocking four quick times on the door of unhappiness.

I rebel; therefore I exist.

I feel more fellowship with the defeated than with saints.

I have no friends, I only have accomplices now. On the other hand, my accomplices are more numerous than my friends: they are the human race.