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
To get up in the morning, wash and then wait for some unforeseen variety of dread or depression. I would give the whole universe and all of Shakespeare for a grain of ataraxy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a deep sense of existential dread and a longing for peace of mind.
Emile M. Cioran expresses the struggle of daily life marred by feelings of dread and depression. He highlights the burden of waking each day only to face the potential for despair, suggesting that he would be willing to sacrifice everything for a moment of tranquility, referred to as 'ataraxy.' This conveys a profound commentary on the human condition and the search for inner peace amid life’s inevitable struggles.
Themes
DreadDepressionAtaraxyExistentialPeace
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a mental health awareness event to highlight the struggles many face daily.
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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