The Rebel
by Albert Camus
"The Rebel" by Albert Camus explores the nature of rebellion and its philosophical implications. Camus examines the motivations behind revolt against oppression, arguing that while rebellion can be a legitimate response to injustice, it can also lead to nihilism and violence if not grounded in a sense of human dignity. Ultimately, he advocates for a balance between rebellion and acceptance of life's absurdities.
19 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Rebel, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
Rebellion is the way of the human being.
The act of rebellion is the declaration of the individual.
To be happy, we must be able to express ourselves.
There is no such thing as a guilty man.
The rebel is the one who says no.
The desire for justice is the basis of rebellion.
Man is the only creature that refuses to be what he is.
Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.
A man does not create himself; he is created by his choices.
The rebel is one who says 'no' to oppression.
Rebellion is the struggle of being human.
Freedom is not only what we do, but also how we think.
The man who does not rebel does not see the chains.
There is no such thing as a purely rational act.
To be happy, we must not be too happy.
A man can be himself only so long as he is alone.
The only way to deal with the absurd is to embrace it.
Everything begins with consciousness and nothing is worth anything without it.
The act of rebellion is the refusal to be treated as a means to an end.