The premonition of madness is complicated by the fear of lucidity in madness, the fear of the moments of return and reunion... One would welcome chaos if one were not afraid of lights in it.
Emile M. CioranRead
Beware of thinkers whose minds function only when they are fueled by a quotation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote warns against individuals who rely solely on quotes for their thoughts and ideas.
Emile M. Cioran expresses a cautionary perspective on the nature of intellectual engagement. He suggests that true understanding and insight should come from one's own thinking rather than merely echoing the words of others. Relying heavily on quotations can lead to superficiality in thought and a lack of genuine contemplation.
Themes
ThinkingQuotesOriginalityIntellectPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech, one might say this quote to encourage original thinking among students.
More from Emile M. Cioran
All quotes βWe are afraid of the enormity of the possible.
Emile M. CioranRead
There was a time when time did not yet exist. β¦ The rejection of birth is nothing but the nostalgia for this time before time.
Emile M. CioranRead
A marvel that has nothing to offer, democracy is at once a nation's paradise and its tomb.
Emile M. CioranRead
Paradise was unendurable, otherwise the first man would have adapted to it; this world is no less so, since here we regret paradise or anticipate another one. What to do? Where to go? Do nothing and go nowhere, easy enough.
Emile M. CioranRead
It is not worth the bother of killing yourself, since you always kill yourself too late.
Emile M. CioranRead
Similar quotes
Man is a living duty, a depository of powers that he must not leave in a brute state. Man is a wing.
Jose MartiRead
Every established order tends to produce the naturalization of its own arbitrariness.
Pierre BourdieuRead
Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.
EpictetusRead
We feel free because we lack the very language to articulate our unfreedom.
Slavoj IekRead
People always talk about good time rock and roll, Chuck Berry or whatever, like this liberating force for feeling good. But what I need in my life is to be liberated into feeling bad. Not sad. I have plenty of sad. What I need is a place where I can spray anger in sparks like a gnarled piece of electrical cable. Just be mad at stuff and soak in the helplessness.
John DarnielleRead
All big things are made up of trifles. My entire life has been built on trifles.
Mahatma GandhiRead