In this volume, which reaffirms the uncompromising brilliance of his mind, Cioran strips the human condition down to its most basic components, bir...
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Oct 18, 2008
M. D.
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I do not read philosophy generally, because it confuses me almost immediately given that I have no capacity whatsoever for abstractions. But I can do E. M. Cioran. Cioran was born in Romania in 1911, spent most of his working life in France, mulling over suicide and death while living to a ripe old age. Much of Cioran’s work is in the form of aphorisms or maxims, and are therefore accessible (I re-read this book recently; I return to his work every few years or so). He is the most relentless
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May 30, 2008
Josh
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"When every man has realized that his birth is a defeat, existence, endurable at last, will seem like the day after a surrender, like the relief and the repose of the conquered."
The Trouble With Being Born is a collection of aphorisms mostly about (but not limited to) the horrors unleashed on us by birth. Cioran argues that perhaps existence is exile and oblivion itself is salvation.
However, Cioran's wit and (dare I say) charm prevent this book from becoming wh More...
The Trouble With Being Born is a collection of aphorisms mostly about (but not limited to) the horrors unleashed on us by birth. Cioran argues that perhaps existence is exile and oblivion itself is salvation.
However, Cioran's wit and (dare I say) charm prevent this book from becoming wh More...
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Jan 29, 2012
Angela
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"Putem suporta orice adevar, oricat de zdrobitor, cu conditia sa inlocuiasca totul, sa contina tot atata vitalitate cat speranta careia i s-a substituit.
Nu fac nimic, se intelege. Dar vad cum trec orele - si asta e preferabil incercarii de a le umple.
Stiu ca nasterea mea e o intamplare, un accident ridicol, si totusi, cum uit de mine, ma port ca si cum ea ar fi un eveniment capital, indispensabil mersului si echilibrului lumii.
Ceea ce nu ne mai poate ind More...
Nu fac nimic, se intelege. Dar vad cum trec orele - si asta e preferabil incercarii de a le umple.
Stiu ca nasterea mea e o intamplare, un accident ridicol, si totusi, cum uit de mine, ma port ca si cum ea ar fi un eveniment capital, indispensabil mersului si echilibrului lumii.
Ceea ce nu ne mai poate ind More...
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Jan 29, 2012
Count
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'Avoir commis tous les crimes, hormis celui d'etre pere' - having strggled through the simple French, this is my favourite book by the great aphorist.
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Oct 09, 2011
Charles
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Wow! He is quite the philosopher. Through a series of aphorisms he looks at the illusions we all share about life. While most of what he writes looks like a negative spin on living, the principle theme seems to be that there is truth beyond the illusions if only we dare to penetrate it. I especially liked his idea that "joy" represented the "one true victory over the world." Read it if you dare.
Apr 25, 2010
Riley
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Totally awesome. Cioran endlessly delivers golden aphorisms. Lots of Buddhism mixed in. Great stuff.
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Jun 09, 2010
Bria
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I'm keeping this around to read whenever I feel like life is horrible and consciousness is the greatest tragedy ever to befall man, since then at least I can feel terrible eloquently.
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May 06, 2008
Liz
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"More than once, I have managed to leave my room, for if I had stayed there I could not be sure of being able to resist some sudden resolution. The street is more reassuring,k you think less about yourself there, there everything weakens and wilts, beginning with your own confusion."
Sep 08, 2010
I bought this to read on an airplane, but I must admit that my little brother's wife is expecting, and I fully intend for this to come with me if I'm invited to the maternity ward vigil.
Sep 06, 2008
i bought these books mainly for the titles. cioran had great titles for books.
Apr 28, 2008
Jeff
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When he makes contact he is in a world of his own creation. If you only read one...
Aug 23, 2007
Eric
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That cynicism truly is hopeful optimism dashed on some rocks.
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