The Fall

by Albert Camus

Do you feel the golden, copper-colored light it kindles in you?

But a certain genus, the worst and most unhappy, cries: “Don’t love me and be faithful to me!”

Be it said, moreover, that as soon as I had re-won that affection I became aware of its weight.

In short, for me to live happily it was essential for the creatures I chose not to live at all. They must receive their life, sporadically, only at my bidding.

Most often, on the other hand, we confess to those who are like us and who share our weaknesses. Hence we don’t want to improve ourselves or be bettered, for we should first have to be judged in default.

modesty helped me to shine, humility to conquer, and virtue to oppress.

I shall wait for it resolutely, for I have known what is worse, the judgment of men.

I’ll tell you a big secret, mon cher. Don’t wait for the Last Judgment. It takes place every day.

But too many people now climb onto the cross merely to be seen from a greater distance, even if they have to trample somewhat on the one who has been there so long.

Thus, cher, empires and churches are born under the sun of death.

And as for me, I pity without absolving, I understand without forgiving, and above all, I feel at last that I am being adored!