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
Whenever I happen to be in a city of any size, I marvel that riots do not break out everyday: Massacres, unspeakable carnage, a doomsday chaos. How can so many human beings coexist in a space so confined without hating each other to death?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the paradox of human coexistence amidst potential chaos and violence.
Cioran's quote invites contemplation on the nature of human coexistence within urban environments, emphasizing the inherent tension between societal norms and the potential for conflict. It suggests that despite the close quarters and diverse backgrounds of individuals in cities, a remarkable restraint prevails, preventing violence and chaos. This observation provokes a deeper inquiry into the foundations of social order and the forces that enable people to live together harmoniously in seemingly precarious conditions.
Themes
CoexistenceUrbanViolenceHuman NatureChaos
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about urban life and its challenges, one might quote Cioran to highlight the unexpected peace in crowded cities.
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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.
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It is not worth the bother of killing yourself, since you always kill yourself too late.
Emile M. CioranRead
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