more on this theme | more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
What a man believes to be true must determine his action. Belief in the absurdity of existence must then dictate his conduct.
Gist of Idea
If we believe existence is absurd, this should dictate our conduct
Source
Albert Camus (The Myth of Sisyphus [1942], 'Abs and Suic')
Book Ref
Camus,Albert: 'The Myth of Sisyphus', ed/tr. O'Brien,Justin [Penguin 1975], p.14
A Reaction
It is intriguing to speculate what the appropriate conduct is. Presumably it is wild existential gestures, like sticking a knife through your hand. Suicide will be an obvious temptation. But bourgeois life might be equally appropriate.