The absurd man will not commit suicide; he wants to live, without relinquishing any of his certainty, without a future, without hope, without illusions … and without resignation either. He stares at death with passionate attention and this fascination liberates him. He experiences the “divine irresponsibility” of the condemned man.

I believe, I desire, that social and economic ills may be remedied.

That is exactly the writer's problem. What does literature stand for in a hungry world?

it was odd, he thought, that a man could hate himself as though he were someone else.

I have nothing but contempt for you idiotic chosen ones who have the heart to rejoice when there are the damned in Hell and the poor on earth; as for me, I am on the side of men and I will not leave it.

Everything comes to us from others. To Be is to belong to someone.

In Les Mots I explain the origin of my madness, of my neurosis. This analysis may help the young who dream of writing.