The quote “suspicion breeds suspicion” was written by Albert Camus in one his articles in “Le Combat” in 1945.
Suspicion is simply a feeling, thought or belief that someone is guilty of something.
It is a mistrust in which a person doubts the honesty of another person, but without sure proof.
In fact, the late John F. Kennedy did uttered a similar line, when he spoke at the Commencement Address at American University in 1963.
“Suspicion on one side breeds suspicion on the other, and new weapons beget counter-weapons.” – John F. Kennedy
(Commencement Address at American University, June 10, 1963) source
This is what William Shakespeare wrote about suspicion:
“Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind.” – William Shakespeare
(King Henry VI By William Shakespeare, King Henry VI, Part 3, King Richard III, Act. V, Sc. VI, Printed For, And Under The Direction Of John Bell, 1788, P. 131)
(This quote is also found here.)
I have selected a list of insightful authentic Albert Camus quotes taken his writings published in Combat newspaper.
Combat (French: Le Combat) is a clandestine newspaper created during the Second World War by the French Resistance.
The French Resistance was the collection of French movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the Vichy regime during the Second World War.
From 1943 to 1947, Albert Camus was still an unknown, when he worked as an editor-in-chief for this underground newspaper.
This Resistance newspaper Combat first appeared openly on the streets of Paris in August 1944.
It was widely read after the Liberation. Among its contributors were: Simone de Beauvoir, André Gide, Jean-Paul Sarte, Denis de Rougement and André Breton.
The gist of the articles is about freedom, justice, truth, and democracy.
And proposed the creation of a socialist post war society to restore France’s truth and honor.
Albert Camus’ articles in Combat demonstrate the left-wing values.
The aim of this clandestine press was to convert the French folks to join the fight for France and a new truth.
Camus supported the concept of a “liberal revolution,” in which France would be transformed into a social democracy.
Suspicion Breeds Suspicion Albert Camus
Below is my selection of Albert Camus quotations taken from Resistance Combat newspaper.
Besides the English translation, I have also included the quotes in the original French language as written by Camus.
“Lying is never without purpose. Even the most impudent lie, if repeated often enough and long enough, always leaves a trace.” – Albert Camus
“On ne ment jamais inutilement. Le mensonge le plus impudent, pourvu qu’il soit répété assez souvent et assez longtemps, laisse toujours sa trace.” (French)
(Camus At Combat: Writing 1944-1947 By Albert Camus, Translated By Arthur Goldhammer, Edited By Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007, Ch. 1, Combat Underground: March-July 1944, Combat, Underground No. 55, March 1944 , Against Total War, Total Resistance, P. 1)
(The quote in French is found in: Le Combat D’Albert Camus, Quebec: Les Presses De L’Universite Laval, 1970, Les Hommes De La Résistance, P. 49)
(The quote in French is also found in: Œuvres Complètes, Tome 1, 1931-1944 Par Albert Camus, Sous La Direction De Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Paris: Édition Gallimard, 2006, P. 911)
“Suspicion breeds suspicion.” – Albert Camus
“La méfiance engendre la méfiance.” (French)
(Camus At Combat: Writing 1944-1947 By Albert Camus, Translated By Arthur Goldhammer, Edited By Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007, Ch. 2, August 21, 1944-November 15, 1945, April 10, 1945, P. 190)
(The quote in French is found in: Le Combat D’Albert Camus, Quebec: Les Presses De L’Universite Laval, 1970, P.273)
(The quote in French is also found in: Œuvres Complètes, Tome 2, 1944-1948 Par Albert Camus, Sous La Direction De Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Paris: Édition Gallimard, 2006, P. 612)
“Clandestine journalism is honorable because it is a proof of independence…” – Albert Camus
“Le journalisme clandestin est honorable parce qu’il est une preuve d’indépendance…” (French)
(Camus At Combat: Writing 1944-1947 By Albert Camus, Translated By Arthur Goldhammer, Edited By Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007, Ch. 1, Combat Underground: March-July 1944, Combat Clandestine No.58, July 1944, The Profession Of Journalist, P. 9)
(The quote in French is found in: Œuvres Complètes: 1931-1944 Tome 1 Par Albert Camus, Sous La Direction De Jacqueline Levi-Valensi, Edition Publiée Sous La Direction de Raymond Gay-Crosier, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 2006, P. 920)
“To live with one’s back to a wall is a dog’s life.” – Albert Camus
“Vivre contre un mur, c’est la vie des chiens.” (French)
(Camus At Combat: Writing 1944-1947 By Albert Camus, Translated By Arthur Goldhammer, Edited By Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007, Ch. 3, November 19-30, 1946, “Neither Victims Nor Executioners”, November 19, 1946, Neither Victims Nor Executioners, The Century Of Fear, P. 257) source
(The quote in French is found in: Œuvres Complètes, Tome 2 Par Albert Camus, Sous La Direction De Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi & Raymond Gay-Crosier, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 2006, P. 436) source
(The quote in French is also found in: Selected Political Writings By Albert Camus, Edited By Jonathan H. King, London: Methuen Educational, 1981, P. 79) source
“…a man who cannot be persuaded is a man who makes others afraid.” – Albert Camus
“…un homme qu’on ne peut pas persuader est un homme qui fait peur.” (French)
(Camus At Combat: Writing 1944-1947 By Albert Camus, Translated By Arthur Goldhammer, Edited By Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007, Ch. 3, November 19-30, 1946, “Neither Victims Nor Executioners”, November 19, 1946, Neither Victims Nor Executioners, The Century Of Fear, P. 258) source
(The quote in French is found in: Œuvres Complètes, Tome 2 Par Albert Camus, Sous La Direction De Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi & Raymond Gay-Crosier, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 2006, P. 437) source
(The quote in French is also found in: Actuelles, Tome 1 Par Albert Camus, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 1950, P. 143) source
“…the mind is always a step behind reality. History races ahead while the mind meditates.” – Albert Camus
“…l’esprit a toujours du retard sur le monde. L’histoire court pendant que l’esprit médite.” (French)
(Camus At Combat: Writing 1944-1947 By Albert Camus, Translated By Arthur Goldhammer, Edited By Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007, Ch. 3, November 19-30, 1946, “Neither Victims Nor Executioners”, November 19, 1946, Neither Victims Nor Executioners, The Century Of Fear, P. 269) source
(The quote in French is found in: Œuvres Complètes, Tome 2 Par Albert Camus, Sous La Direction De Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi & Raymond Gay-Crosier, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 2006, P. 449)
(The quote in French is also found in: Actuelles, Tome 1 Par Albert Camus, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 1950, P. 166) source
“Justice is both an idea and a passion of the soul.” – Albert Camus
“La justice est à la fois une idée et une chaleur de l’âme.” (French)
(Camus At Combat: Writing 1944-1947 By Albert Camus, Translated By Arthur Goldhammer, Edited By Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007, Ch. 2, August 21, 1944-November 15, 1945, November 22, 1944, P. 119) source
(The quote in French is found in: Œuvres Complètes, Volume 2 Par Albert Camus, Sous La Direction De Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi & Raymond Gay-Crosier, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 2006, P. 389) source
(The quote in French is also found in: Actuelles: Actuelles I (Chroniques, 1944-1948) Par Albert Camus, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 1950, P. 41)
“For resolute minds, truth is always the best news.” – Albert Camus
“Pour des esprits déterminés, la vérité est toujours la meilleure nouvelle.” (French)
(Camus At Combat: Writing 1944-1947 By Albert Camus, Translated By Arthur Goldhammer, Edited By Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007, Ch. 2, August 21, 1944-November 15, 1945, September 30, 1944, P. 52)
(The quote in French is found in: Le Combat D’Albert Camus, Quebec: Les Presses De L’Universite Laval, 1970, Septembre 30, 1944, P. 251) source
(The quote in French is also found in: Œuvres Complètes, Tome 2 Par Albert Camus, Sous La Direction De Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi & Raymond Gay-Crosier, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 2006, P. 537) source
“…political revolution cannot take place without moral revolution…” – Albert Camus
“…la révolution politique ne peut se passer d’une révolution morale…” (French)
(Camus At Combat: Writing 1944-1947 By Albert Camus, Translated By Arthur Goldhammer, Edited By Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007, Ch. 2, August 21, 1944-November 15, 1945, P. 56) source
(The quote in French is found in: Le Combat D’Albert Camus, Quebec: Les Presses De L’Universite Laval, 1970, Septembre 30, 1944, P. 75) source
(The quote in French is also found in: Œuvres Complètes, Tome 2 Par Albert Camus, Sous La Direction De Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi & Raymond Gay-Crosier, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 2006, P. 540)
“There is no order without justice, and the ideal order lies in the happiness of the people.” – Albert Camus
“Il n’y a pas d’ordre sans justice et l’ordre idéal des peuples réside dans leur bonheur.” (French)
(Camus At Combat: Writing 1944-1947 By Albert Camus, Translated By Arthur Goldhammer, Edited By Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007, Ch. 2, August 21, 1944-November 15, 1945, October 12, 1944, P. 69) source
(The quote in French is also found in: Actuelles, Volume I Par Albert Camus, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 1950, P. 55) source
(The quote in French is also found in: Œuvres Complètes: 1944-1948 Par Albert Camus, Sous La Direction De Jacqueline Lévi-Valensi & Raymond Gay-Crosier, Paris: Éditions Gallimard, 2006, P. 395) source
Note: Suspicion breeds suspicion Albert Camus wrote together with the other quotes are definitely authentic.
*Here is my selection of the best 5 Albert Camus quotations.