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
Beware of thinkers whose minds function only when they are fueled by a quotation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote warns against individuals who rely solely on quotes for their thoughts and ideas.
Emile M. Cioran expresses a cautionary perspective on the nature of intellectual engagement. He suggests that true understanding and insight should come from one's own thinking rather than merely echoing the words of others. Relying heavily on quotations can lead to superficiality in thought and a lack of genuine contemplation.
Themes
ThinkingQuotesOriginalityIntellectPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech, one might say this quote to encourage original thinking among students.
More from Emile M. Cioran
All quotes βWe are afraid of the enormity of the possible.
Emile M. CioranRead
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.
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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So you find yourself surrounded by death and horror in the world, and you escape it into lust. But lust has no duration; it leaves you again in the desert.
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