E. M. Cioran Quotes

A collection of quotes by E. M. Cioran.

Emil Michel Cioran, commonly known as E. M. Cioran, was a Romanian philosopher, essayist, and aphorist. He was born on April 8, 1911, in Rășinari, Romania, and died on June 20, 1995, in Paris, France. Cioran is best known for his pessimistic and existentialist thoughts, which he expressed through his highly poetic and profound writings.

After studying philosophy at the University of Bucharest, Cioran began his career as a teacher. However, he soon abandoned his academic pursuits and moved to Paris where he could fully engage with the intellectual and literary atmosphere. In his works, Cioran explored profound themes such as suffering, despair, solitude, and the human condition. His writings often reflected a deep skepticism towards human existence and the inherent contradictions and absurdities of life.

Cioran's first published work, "On the Heights of Despair" (1934), gained him critical acclaim and established his unique philosophical style. He went on to publish several notable works, including "The Trouble with Being Born" (1973) and "A Short History of Decay" (1949), which further solidified his reputation for nihilistic, yet beautifully expressed, insights.

Despite his pessimistic worldview, Cioran attracted a devoted following and was regarded as one of the most important thinkers of his time. Throughout his life, he maintained a reclusive existence in Paris, where he spent his days reading, writing, and contemplating the darker aspects of the human experience.