Death Quote by Albert Camus
““It seems that the people of Oran are like that friend of Flaubert who, on the point of death, casting a last glance at the irreplaceable earth, exclaimed: "Close the window, it's too beautiful.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Plague by Albert Camus, 1947
People cling to beauty even as life ends, refusing to close off wonder.
In simple terms: Even in death, we seek to keep beauty open.
Key Takeaway
Cherish moments of beauty.
Themes
mortality
beauty
human nature
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- end‑of‑life reflection
- art criticism
- personal loss
- grief processing
Key Concepts
existentialism
nihilism
aesthetic appreciation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance appreciation of beauty with acceptance of mortality?
- What does “closing the window” symbolize for you?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize denial of death.
![“Monsieur Flaubert is not a writer. [1857]” quote by Le Figaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f0b/le-figaro-255782_bad-reviews_monsieur-flaubert-is-not-a-writer-1857-1_1367559.jpg)
![“I am finishing a biography of [Gustave] Flaubert. Because he is the opposite of what I am. One needs to rub up against argument.” quote by Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b23/jean-paul-sartre-220_argument_i-am-finishing-a-biography-of-gustave-fl_1324743.jpg)
