"It is worth comparing the agony and torture of Clamence with a more recent example from another French philosopher, [[Anne Dufourmantelle]], **who died in 2017, aged fifty-three, rushing into the surf to save two drowning children** who were not her own. In her writing, Anne had spoken often of risk—saying that **it was impossible to live life without risk and that in fact, life is risk**. "It is **in the presence of danger, she once said in an interview, that we are gifted with the “strong incentive for action, dedication, and surpassing oneself**.” And when, on the beach in [[Saint-Tropez]], she was faced with a moment of danger and risk, an opportunity to turn away or to do good, she committed the full measure of devotion to her ideals." ([Location 2649](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07QY3CZ9L&location=2649)) --- **Tags** -- [[quotes]], [[courage]], [[fooled-by-randomness]], [[bias-to-action]], [[character]], [[personal-values]] **Source** -- [[202409180133 - B - Stillness is the Key]]