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Character Quote by Albert Camus

“Next day Tarrou set to work and enrolled a first team of workers, soon to be followed by many others. However, it is not the narrator's intention to ascribe to these sanitary groups more importance than their due. Doubtless today many of our fellow citizens are apt to yield to the temptation of…” quote by Albert Camus
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““Next day Tarrou set to work and enrolled a first team of workers, soon to be followed by many others. However, it is not the narrator's intention to ascribe to these sanitary groups more importance than their due. Doubtless today many of our fellow citizens are apt to yield to the temptation of exaggerating the services they rendered. But the narrator is inclined to think that by attributing overimportance to praiseworthy actions one may, by implication, be paying indirect but potent homage to the worse side of human nature. For this attitude implies that such actions shine out as rare exceptions, while callousness and apathy are the general rule. The narrator does not share that view. The evil that is in the world always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence, if they lack understanding. On the whole, men are more good than bad; that, however, isn't the real point. But they are more or less ignorant, and it is this that we call vice or virtue; the most incorrigible vice being that of an ignorance that fancies it knows everything and therefore claims for itself the right to kill.””

Albert Camus

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Plague, 1947 (interpretive excerpt)

A critique of over‑celebrating heroic deeds while ignoring widespread apathy, asserting that ignorance fuels vice and that good intentions without understanding can be harmful.

In simple terms: Celebrating heroes ignores common indifference; ignorance breeds vice.

Key Takeaway

Recognize everyday moral responsibility beyond grand gestures.

Themes

ethics ignorance human nature virtue vice

Mood

serious analytical

Type

philosophical critical

When to use this quote

  • Community service
  • education programs
  • ethical debates
  • policy making

Key Concepts

Philosophy social critique psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we value ordinary kindness?
  • What steps reduce societal ignorance?
A Different Perspective

Focusing on heroes may obscure systemic issues needing collective action.

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