the fall

"we rarely confide in those who are better than ourselves. rather we are more inclined to flee their society. most often, on the other hand, we confess to those who are like us and who share our weaknesses. hence we don't want to improve ourselves or be bettered, for we should first be bound to be judged in default. we merely wish to be pitied and encouraged in the course we have chosen. in short, we would like, at the same time, to cease being guilty and yet not to make the effort of cleansing ourselves. not enough cynicism and not enough virtue. we lack the energy required for evil as well as that required for good."

- the fall by albert camus