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
Where are my sensations? They have melted into... me, and what is this me, this self, but the sum of these evaporated sensations?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote explores the relationship between sensations and the concept of self, suggesting that our identity is shaped by our experiences.
Emile M. Cioran's quote delves into the introspective notion that our individual identity, or 'self', is fundamentally constructed from our sensations and experiences. By stating that these sensations have melted into the self, he implies that the essence of who we are is not a fixed entity but rather a fluid amalgamation of our lived experiences, emotions, and perceptions, highlighting the transient nature of identity and existence.
Themes
SelfSensationsIdentityPhilosophyExperience
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about personal identity at a philosophy club meeting.
More from Emile M. Cioran
All quotes βWe are afraid of the enormity of the possible.
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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.
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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.
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It is not worth the bother of killing yourself, since you always kill yourself too late.
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