Key Lesson of the Camino (IMO) in a simple quote...

simply B · Nov 11, 2022

....found while I was doing other things but I thought a quick "drive-by" to the Forum to share might be appropriate.

“I cling like a miser to the freedom that disappears as soon as there is an excess of things.”

(Albert Camus, Lyrical and Critical Essays)

I honestly remember not liking having to read Camus a half-century ago. I may just have to re-read him to overcome that early prejudice.

dick bird · Nov 11, 2022

simply B said:
....found while I was doing other things but I thought a quick "drive-by" to the Forum to share might be appropriate.

“I cling like a miser to the freedom that disappears as soon as there is an excess of things.”

(Albert Camus, Lyrical and Critical Essays)

I honestly remember not liking having to read Camus a half-century ago. I may just have to re-read him to overcome that early prejudice.
[/FONT]

I don't think Camus wrote for fun, neither his own nor other people's. But some of his ideas are things we really need to think about, e.g. our purpose in life, our relation to society and others, so probably more rewarding to read as a mature adult. Seriously did my head in when I was a teenager though.

SabsP · Nov 11, 2022

simply B said:
....found while I was doing other things but I thought a quick "drive-by" to the Forum to share might be appropriate.

“I cling like a miser to the freedom that disappears as soon as there is an excess of things.”

(Albert Camus, Lyrical and Critical Essays)

I honestly remember not liking having to read Camus a half-century ago. I may just have to re-read him to overcome that early prejudice.

B

Thank you @simply B for bringing this great author /philosopher to our attention.
Like you I did not particular like/ understand Camus when I had to read him for French in secondary school but that was because I had to focus so hard on understanding the language that I did not have energy left for the content.
Beginning of Covid I then reread La Peste in translation and of course it was an eyeopener ( in regards to current affairs).

I can also recommend the biography from Olivier Todd about Camus.

Priscilla NC · Nov 11, 2022

I had similar experiences in high school, not really liking/understanding Camus. But then later I found this, which I read again from time to time:

"In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
]In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
I realized, through it all, that…
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back."

musicman · Nov 11, 2022

Camus opened my mind to a different experience of the world nearly 60 years ago.

dfox · Nov 11, 2022

simply B said:
“I cling like a miser to the freedom that disappears as soon as there is an excess of things.”

(Albert Camus, Lyrical and Critical Essays)

Less is more!

lalaone · Nov 11, 2022

I second the biography by Olivier Todd. I can also recommend Camus's posthumously published autobiographical novel "The First Man." It deals with his childhood growing up in Algeria and is similar in tone and themes to these early lyrical essays. It's luminous.

ChipFrazier · Nov 11, 2022

simply B said:
....found while I was doing other things but I thought a quick "drive-by" to the Forum to share might be appropriate.

“I cling like a miser to the freedom that disappears as soon as there is an excess of things.”

(Albert Camus, Lyrical and Critical Essays)

I honestly remember not liking having to read Camus a half-century ago. I may just have to re-read him to overcome that early prejudice.

B

Simple. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

cbacino · Nov 12, 2022

simply B said:
....found while I was doing other things but I thought a quick "drive-by" to the Forum to share might be appropriate.

“I cling like a miser to the freedom that disappears as soon as there is an excess of things.”

(Albert Camus, Lyrical and Critical Essays)

I honestly remember not liking having to read Camus a half-century ago. I may just have to re-read him to overcome that early prejudice.

B

Living and working in half dozen countries disabused me of having so much “stuff.” And then I took to long-distance walking. 6000 miles later, even less “stuff.” My wife said what I have left is mostly fit for the dumpster.

SEB2 · Nov 12, 2022

Thank you for sharing this @simply B. The exhortation used on posters produced by The Society of Friends to ‘Live more simply that others may simply live’ always struck a chord with me but also prompted guilt at my having too much ‘stuff’. Still lots of work to do to be a better human being ...

Karlgrino · Nov 12, 2022

ChipFrazier said:
Simple. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

hmmm...beg to disagree, that seems to make it all about you.
Instead: Treat others as they would like you to treat them.

Bill905 · Nov 12, 2022

I too read Camus as a youth, and I appreciated annotated help! Some of his philosophy reminds me of another philosopher by the name of Lao Tzu who taught of another "Way", i.e. the Tao Te Ching. Some quotes from Lao Tzu can easily be applied to El Camino ... such as the oft quoted excerpt from Verse 64 which many people have translated as "Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". However, in terms of materialism and living simply, there are many other verses that cause me to think about my own "10,000 things" in relation to cultivating a higher spiritual calling. Recommended for reading and meditation. I can't tell you how many times I have read and re-read Verse 2. Look it up!

susanawee · Nov 14, 2022

simply B said:
....found while I was doing other things but I thought a quick "drive-by" to the Forum to share might be appropriate.

“I cling like a miser to the freedom that disappears as soon as there is an excess of things.”

(Albert Camus, Lyrical and Critical Essays)

I honestly remember not liking having to read Camus a half-century ago. I may just have to re-read him to overcome that early prejudice.

I think that you should "give him another go". He has written some really good and interesting books. Just my humble thoughts here.

susanawee · Nov 14, 2022

dick bird said:
I don't think Camus wrote for fun, neither his own nor other people's. But some of his ideas are things we really need to think about, e.g. our purpose in life, our relation to society and others, so probably more rewarding to read as a mature adult. Seriously did my head in when I was a teenager though.

Same for me.

bubba · Nov 19, 2022

Priscilla NC said:
I had similar experiences in high school, not really liking/understanding Camus. But then later I found this, which I read again from time to time:

"In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
]In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
I realized, through it all, that…
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back."

Thank you, Priscilla, I needed that, you opened my closed heart!

WalkingJane · Feb 9, 2023

So many thoughtful posts. Thanks to each/all of you!

simply B · Feb 10, 2023

I thought I remembered a thread of "Inspirational Quotes" but I could not find it.

Anyway, this came across my view today while I was missing the Camino....badly.

Enjoy!

"Slowly the west reaches for clothes of new colors
which it passes to a row of ancient trees.
You look, and soon these two worlds both leave you
one part climbs toward heaven, one sinks to earth.

leaving you, not really belonging to either,
not so hopelessly dark as that house that is silent,
not so unswervingly given to the eternal as that thing
that turns to a star each night and climbs--

leaving you (it is impossible to untangle the threads)
your own life, timid and standing high and growing,
so that, sometimes blocked in, sometimes reaching out,
one moment your life is a stone in you, and the next, a star."

"Sunset" by Rainer Maria Rilke

mspath · Feb 10, 2023

Indeed impermanence makes each moment very special as Rainer Maria Rilke suggested in his 9th Duino Elegy, (translated by
Stephen Mitchell).

"...But to have been,
This once, completely, even if only once:
To have been at one with the earth, seems beyond undoing."

C clearly · Feb 10, 2023

simply B said:
I thought I remembered a thread of "Inspirational Quotes" but I could not find it.

Perhaps it was the thread to which these 2 posts have been moved.

simply B · Feb 11, 2023

C clearly said:
Perhaps it was the thread to which these 2 posts have been moved.

Nah, there was another thread...maybe 8-10 years ago? This will do though. Thank you @C clearly !

B

JustJack · Wednesday at 12:45 PM

When you stop at a bar for a beer, wine, coffee or bite to eat, and sit at a table, is it expected that you will return your dirty dishes up to the bar before you leave? I alway do, as it seems...

Peterexpatkiwi · Apr 23, 2024

Let me preface this by saying please understand I am not picking on anybody, I fully understand that mistakes happen and how. Been there, done that. I have been astonished to see so many lost...

KariannNor · Thursday at 8:44 PM

A promotion started here right now. A step-counting sweater from Wolkswagen records how far you walk, and if you walk 613 km (which is the range of the latest model) before 16th June, you can win...

William Garza · Friday at 6:29 AM

Past,present and future Thanks for sharing your adventures! This forum will be a touchstone someday in the future ..where you had gone and how far, from where and when A Canterbery tales sort of...

taga_cebu · Wednesday at 4:19 PM

Hi! I just want to know if anyone had any success (or trouble conversely on that matter) using your Visa Debit Card with 6-digit PIN when withdrawing Euros in ATMs in France and Spain? Just want...

Antnix1 · Friday at 9:54 PM

Seems to be a lot of people posting about stuff they lost on the Camino recently. I managed to leave a nice new-ish polo shirt somewhere drying and didn't notice for over a week. I hope someone...

Key Lesson of the Camino (IMO) in a simple quote...

member

Moderator

Veteran Member

Active Member

Ensuitepilgrim

Active Member

Active Member

New Member

Active Member

Member

New Member

Pilgrim

susanawee

susanawee

Member

Active Member

member

Veteran Member

Moderator

member

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency