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
If each of us were to confess his most secret desire, the one that inspires all his plans, all his actions, he would say: "I want to be praised."
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that at our core, we all seek validation and acknowledgment for our actions and aspirations.
Cioran's quote delves into the fundamental human desire for recognition. It implies that beneath our various ambitions and endeavors lies a universal yearning for praise and affirmation from others. This reflects a deeper psychological insight into human behavior, suggesting that our motivations are often driven by the need for external approval, shaping our actions and aspirations.
Themes
PraiseDesireValidationAcknowledgmentAspiration
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech to highlight the importance of recognition in teamwork.
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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