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
No human beings more dangerous than those who have suffered for a belief: the great persecutors are recruited from the martyrs not quite beheaded. Far from diminishing the appetite for power, suffering exasperates it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Suffering for one's beliefs often breeds intensity and fervor, making individuals dangerous in their pursuit of power.
This quote suggests that individuals who have endured suffering for their beliefs can become some of the most formidable figures in society. Rather than weakening their resolve, their experiences can amplify their desire for power and influence, often leading them to commit extreme acts in the name of their convictions. The quote highlights a cycle where pain and resilience can culminate in a perilous pursuit of authority, especially among those who feel wronged or marginalized.
Themes
SufferingBeliefsPowerPersecutionMartyrs
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about social justice, one might say, 'Remember, no human beings are more dangerous than those who have suffered for a belief.'
More from Emile M. Cioran
All quotes →We are afraid of the enormity of the possible.
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There was a time when time did not yet exist. … The rejection of birth is nothing but the nostalgia for this time before time.
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A marvel that has nothing to offer, democracy is at once a nation's paradise and its tomb.
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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
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