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
There is no other world. Nor even this one. What, then, is there? The inner smile provoked in us by the patent nonexistence of both.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that reality is an illusion, and the true essence lies in our perception of existence.
Emile M. Cioran explores the concept of reality and existence in this quote, proposing that both the inner and outer worlds are ultimately nonexistent. He implies that our understanding of reality is subjective, and the peace or joy we find—referred to as the 'inner smile'—comes from recognizing this profound truth rather than clinging to the illusions of life.
Themes
ExistenceRealityIllusionPerceptionInner Peace
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophical discussion about the nature of reality, this quote could be used to challenge perceptions.
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
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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