Quote by E. M. Cioran

No human beings more dangerous than those who have suffered for a belief: the great persecutors are recruited from the martyrs not quite beheaded. Far from diminishing the appetite for power, suffering exasperates it.

No human beings more dangerous than those who have suffered

Summary

This quote, by French philosopher Emil Cioran, suggests that individuals who have endured hardships for their beliefs can be incredibly dangerous. It implies that those who have suffered but not been fully defeated can develop a longing for power that is exacerbated by their experiences. Rather than tempering their desire for authority, their suffering intensifies it. The quote highlights the transformation from being a persecuted martyr to becoming a ruthless oppressor, indicating that those who have endured pain and resistance have the potential to inflict suffering on others in pursuit of their own goals.

Topics

Martyrdom Martyr

By E. M. Cioran

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