504 Quotes by Emil Cioran

There is not much difference between a mortal man and a dying man. The absurdity of making plans is only slightly more obvious in the second case.

I lost my sleep, and this is the greatest tragedy that can befall someone. It is much worse than sitting in prison.

Under each formula lies a corpse.

Our first intuitions are the true ones.

Not to be born is undoubtedly the best plan of all. Unfortunately, it is within no one’s reach.

Just as ecstasy purifies you of the particular and the contingent, leaving nothing except light and darkness, so insomnia kills off the multiplicity and diversity of the world, leaving you prey to your private obsessions.

No one can keep his griefs in their prime; they use themselves up.

A decadent civilization compromises with its disease, cherishes the virus infecting it, loses its self-respect.

We dread the future only when we are not sure we can kill ourselves when we want to.