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Life Quote by Albert Camus

“Question: how can one manage not to lose time? Answer: experience it at its full length. Means: spend days in the dentist's waiting room on an uncomfortable chair; live on one's balcony on a Sunday afternoon; listen to lectures in a language that one does not understand, choose the most roundabout…” quote by Albert Camus
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““Question: how can one manage not to lose time? Answer: experience it at its full length. Means: spend days in the dentist's waiting room on an uncomfortable chair; live on one's balcony on a Sunday afternoon; listen to lectures in a language that one does not understand, choose the most roundabout and least convenient routes on the railway (and, naturally, travel standing up); queue at the box-office for theatres and so on and not take one's seat; etc.””

Albert Camus

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Myth of Sisyphus, Albert Camus, 1942

Time is best experienced fully, even in mundane or uncomfortable moments, rather than trying to avoid it.

In simple terms: Live fully in each moment, even the boring ones.

Key Takeaway

Embrace all experiences, not just the pleasant.

Themes

mindfulness presence existentialism

Mood

reflective thoughtful philosophical

Type

aphilosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • waiting rooms
  • daily commutes
  • long lectures
  • queues
  • traveling standing up

Key Concepts

absurdism authenticity temporal awareness

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you find meaning in routine tasks?
  • What small changes make daily moments richer?
A Different Perspective

May become impractical to seek discomfort for its own sake.

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