--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The world in which we were called to…" description: "\"The world in which we were called to exist was an absurd world, and there was no other in which we could take refuge.\" — Albert Camus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cb/albert-camus-47_absurd_the-world-in-which-we-were-called-to-exi_429670.jpg" --- # The world in which we were called to exist was an absurd… ![“The world in which we were called to exist was an absurd world, and there was no other in which we could take refuge.” quote by Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cb/albert-camus-47_absurd_the-world-in-which-we-were-called-to-exi_429670.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cb/albert-camus-47_absurd_the-world-in-which-we-were-called-to-exi_429670.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cb/albert-camus-47_absurd_the-world-in-which-we-were-called-to-exi_429670.jpg) > “The world in which we were called to exist was an absurd world, and there was no other in which we could take refuge.” [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human existence feels absurd and offers no refuge, emphasizing the need to confront meaninglessness directly. **In simple terms:** Life is absurd with no safe haven. Key Takeaway Confront absurdity head‑on. Themes existentialism absurdity philosophy Mood thoughtful serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal reflection - artistic expression - social critique Key Concepts meaning existential crisis Questions to Reflect On - How do you cope with life's absurdity? - What creates you create meaning despite it? A Different Perspective Finding comfort may be impossible without acceptance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurd/) [Existentialism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existentialism/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Refuge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuge/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Where, if not in the Divine Mercy, can the world find refuge and the light of hope?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/where-if-not-in-the-divine-mercy-can-the-world-find-refuge-and-the/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [“Education isn't a problem until it serves as a buffer rom the world and a refuge from the risk of failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/education-isn-t-a-problem-until-it-serves-as-a-buffer-rom-the-world/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [I have too much respect for the idea of God to make it responsible for such an absurd world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-duhamel/i-have-too-much-respect-for-the-idea-of-god-to-make-it-responsible/) [Georges Duhamel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-duhamel/) > [“Freedom is a difficult burden to bear in an absurd world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-webb/freedom-is-a-difficult-burden-to-bear-in-an-absurd-world/) Eugene Webb > [“…But sometimes a person begins with opinions and judgments and valid criticisms, but then things creep in that have nothing to do with forming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mann/but-sometimes-a-person-begins-with-opinions-and-judgments-and-valid/) [Thomas Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mann/) > [I like that feeling of discombobulation that comes in creating an absurd world that doesn't make sense. 'Monty Python' does a good job of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-watts/i-like-that-feeling-of-discombobulation-that-comes-in-creating-an-2/) [Reggie Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-watts/) > [I like that feeling of discombobulation that comes in creating an absurd world that doesn't make sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-watts/i-like-that-feeling-of-discombobulation-that-comes-in-creating-an/) [Reggie Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-watts/) > [The rock and roll business is pretty absurd, but the world of serious music is much worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/the-rock-and-roll-business-is-pretty-absurd-but-the-world-of-serious/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [It's an absurd world - you know, billionaires in Birkenstocks. But I'd rather have nerdy tech guys as the next Carnegie than oil tycoons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-middleditch/it-s-an-absurd-world-you-know-billionaires-in-birkenstocks-but-i-d/) [Thomas Middleditch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-middleditch/) > [“People who believe that Jesus is already Lord and that he will appear again as judge of the world are called and equipped (to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/people-who-believe-that-jesus-is-already-lord-and-that-he-will-appear/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [I had to travel half way across the world to be called an American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-iglesias/i-had-to-travel-half-way-across-the-world-to-be-called-an-american/) [Gabriel Iglesias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-iglesias/) > [You have not been called to change the world, but you have been called to change something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/you-have-not-been-called-to-change-the-world-but-you-have-been-called/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [The church is called to be now what the world is called to be ultimately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-howard-yoder/the-church-is-called-to-be-now-what-the-world-is-called-to-be/) [John Howard Yoder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-howard-yoder/) > [“The human world called her fragile, but the Orcs called her Life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-vance/the-human-world-called-her-fragile-but-the-orcs-called-her-life/) Caleb Vance > [ “The talk that does not touch the world is called alaukik \[that, which is beyond the world\].” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/the-talk-that-does-not-touch-the-world-is-called-alaukik-that-which/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) ## More by Albert Camus > [“The whole town rushed outside to celebrate this crowded minute when the time of suffering had ended and the time of forgetting had not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-whole-town-rushed-outside-to-celebrate-this-crowded-minute-when/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [Generally, I like all islands. There, it is easier to rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/generally-i-like-all-islands-there-it-is-easier-to-rule/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [Being is good, but getting rich is better… If the gods had only the riches of men's adoration, they would be as poor as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/being-is-good-but-getting-rich-is-better-if-the-gods-had-only-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [The more I produce, the less I am certain. On the road along which the artist walks, night falls ever more densely. Finally, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-more-i-produce-the-less-i-am-certain-on-the-road-along-which-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“Having been, not only mutilated in our country, wounded in our very flesh, but also divested of our most beautiful images, for you gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/having-been-not-only-mutilated-in-our-country-wounded-in-our-very/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [I've seen of enough of people who die for an idea. I don't believe in heroism; I know it's easy and I've learned it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/i-ve-seen-of-enough-of-people-who-die-for-an-idea-i-don-t-believe-in/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [The best are led to make greater demands upon themselves. As for those who succumb, they did not deserve to survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-best-are-led-to-make-greater-demands-upon-themselves-as-for-those/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“Then he asked me if I wasn’t interested in a change of life. I said that people never change their lives, that in any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/then-he-asked-me-if-i-wasn-t-interested-in-a-change-of-life-i-said/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [Life is meaningless, but worth living, provided you recognize it's meaningless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/life-is-meaningless-but-worth-living-provided-you-recognize-it-s/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [Thinking of the future, establishing aims for oneself, having preferences-all this presupposes a belief in freedom, even if one occasionally ascertains that one doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/thinking-of-the-future-establishing-aims-for-oneself-having/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [I explained to him, however, that my nature was such that my physical needs often got in the way of my feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/i-explained-to-him-however-that-my-nature-was-such-that-my-physical/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-only-way-to-deal-with-an-unfree-world-is-to-become-so-absolutely/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“We love people not because for good they did for us, but for good we did for them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/we-love-people-not-because-for-good-they-did-for-us-but-for-good-we/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [You have so much inside you, and the noblest happiness of all. Don’t just wait for a man to come along. That’s the mistake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/you-have-so-much-inside-you-and-the-noblest-happiness-of-all-don-t/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [The desire for possession is insatiable, to such a point that it can survive even love itself. To love, therefore, is to sterilize the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-desire-for-possession-is-insatiable-to-such-a-point-that-it-can/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) [Explore all 1,600 Albert Camus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) ## More Absurd quotes > [“It seem absurd to me that they don't know, haven't felt any change or tremor, even as my life has been completely turned upside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/it-seem-absurd-to-me-that-they-don-t-know-haven-t-felt-any-change-or/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [When a person’s tongue is extensively wrong, it is absurd, no less than unscriptural, to say that their heart is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/when-a-person-s-tongue-is-extensively-wrong-it-is-absurd-no-less-than/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror." "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/every-sensible-man-every-honorable-man-must-hold-the-christian-sect/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [It is human nature to think wisely and to act in an absurd fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/it-is-human-nature-to-think-wisely-and-to-act-in-an-absurd-fashion/) [Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/) > [It is a dangerous and fateful presumption, besides the absurd temerity that it implies, to disdain what we do not comprehend. For after you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-a-dangerous-and-fateful-presumption-besides-the-absurd-temerity/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I thought to myself: if it’s true that every person has a star in the sky, mine must be distant, dim, and absurd. Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadegh-hedayat/i-thought-to-myself-if-it-s-true-that-every-person-has-a-star-in-the/) [Sadegh Hedayat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadegh-hedayat/) > [If, indeed, a firearm were more dangerous to its possessors than to potential aggressors, would it not make sense for the government to arm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mamet/if-indeed-a-firearm-were-more-dangerous-to-its-possessors-than-to/) [David Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mamet/) > [“You were torturing a cat," she says. "With a freaking prod." "A prod I built myself in metal shop," he says. "But of course…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/you-were-torturing-a-cat-she-says-with-a-freaking-prod-a-prod-i-built/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [I have never heard enough classical music to be able to enjoy it; & the simple truth is, I detest it. Not mildly, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-have-never-heard-enough-classical-music-to-be-able-to-enjoy-it-the/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [To deprecate human reason by saying that none of us is or can be omniscient is absurd, for it takes an impossible standard as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-rothbard/to-deprecate-human-reason-by-saying-that-none-of-us-is-or-can-be/) [Murray Rothbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-rothbard/) > [“Rachel got up and did this happy little shuffle, like she was some cheerful farmer chick who'd just stepped outside to find the hick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/rachel-got-up-and-did-this-happy-little-shuffle-like-she-was-some/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [The absurd duty, too often inculcated, of obeying a parent only on account of his being a parent, shackles the mind, and prepares it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/the-absurd-duty-too-often-inculcated-of-obeying-a-parent-only-on/) [Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/) > [The workman of today works every day in his life at the same tasks, and this fate is no less absurd. But it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-workman-of-today-works-every-day-in-his-life-at-the-same-tasks/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [I was once part of a Christmas cabaret. I sang 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.' I tap-danced. I had a ten-gallon hat. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-dinklage/i-was-once-part-of-a-christmas-cabaret-i-sang-i-saw-mommy-kissing/) [Peter Dinklage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-dinklage/) > [Solitude produces originality, bold and astonishing beauty, poetry. But solitude also produces perverseness, the disproportianate, the absurd and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mann/solitude-produces-originality-bold-and-astonishing-beauty-poetry-but/) [Thomas Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mann/) [Browse all 1,644 Absurd quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurd/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The world in which we were called to exist was an absurd world, and there was no other in which we could take refuge.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Albert Camus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-world-in-which-we-were-called-to-exist-was-an-absurd-world-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Absurd" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-world-in-which-we-were-called-to-exist-was-an-absurd-world-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cb/albert-camus-47_absurd_the-world-in-which-we-were-called-to-exi_429670.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cb/albert-camus-47_absurd_the-world-in-which-we-were-called-to-exi_429670.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cb/albert-camus-47_absurd_the-world-in-which-we-were-called-to-exi_429670.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The world in which we were called to exist was an absurd world, and there was no other in which we could…” — Albert Camus", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Albert Camus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The world in which we were...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-world-in-which-we-were-called-to-exist-was-an-absurd-world-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-world-in-which-we-were-called-to-exist-was-an-absurd-world-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```