My idea, when I write a book, is to wake up someone, to fustigate him. Given that the books I have written arose from my malaises, not to mention my sufferings, it's exactly that that they should transmit in some form to the reader. A book should overturn everything, call everything into question.
More from Emile Cioran
I have no nationality-the best possible status for an intellectual.
Permalink to quote #181 'I wish I were a cannibal - less for the pleasure of eating someone than for the pleasure of vomiting him.'
Permalink to quote #183 I'm simply an accident. Why take it all so seriously?
Permalink to quote #180