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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on human dissatisfaction with life, suggesting that even paradise would be unfulfilling due to our tendency to long for something better.
In this quote, Cioran conveys the idea that human beings are inherently dissatisfied, regardless of their circumstances. He posits that paradise, an ideal state, would be unendurable because our nature drives us to always seek more, leading to a constant state of longing and regret. The suggestion of doing nothing and going nowhere reflects a recognition of the futility of such desires, prompting a contemplation of existence and the human condition.
Themes
Human ConditionDissatisfactionParadiseExistenceLonging
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the nature of happiness, this quote can illustrate how people often strive for unattainable ideals.
More from Emile M. Cioran
All quotes →We are afraid of the enormity of the possible.
Emile M. CioranRead
There was a time when time did not yet exist. … 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
It is not worth the bother of killing yourself, since you always kill yourself too late.
Emile M. CioranRead
Ambition is a drug that makes its addicts potential madmen.
Emile M. CioranRead
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We are still masters of our fate. We are still captains of our souls.
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