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.

Albert Camus
About This Quote

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." It may be that there is no other place in the world where life is so beautiful. The people of Oran seem to possess something like the charm of their city. Their very soul seems to dwell in it. The air is fresh and pure.

The sky is blue and bright. The sun shines warmly; the breeze blows gently; everything is bathed in light, in an atmosphere of joy and serenity. Look at this or this street, at these houses, at this magnificent palace.

There are no ugly buildings here, no dark corners, no alleys where one could get lost. Everything is built according to a beautiful plan. The clear sunlight falls upon everything with its warm rays; the pure air caresses you with its sweet fragrance; the soothing sounds of bells or of music float on the breeze; everywhere there are flowers—white lilies opening their petals in the sunshine, pink roses growing upon the balconies, carnations blossoming on all sides—flowers which have come from far away to bloom here for an instant before being carried off by the wind again.

This is life par excellence.

Source: The Myth Of Sisyphus And Other Essays

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