Emil Cioran Quotes
Intelligence flourishes only in the ages when belief withers.
Cioran, E. M. A Short History of Decay. Translated by Richard Howard, Arcade Publishing, 1998.
Spinoza was one of the most feared intellectuals in human history—feared that is by the established power structures. He is the only known person who was excommunicated by the Catholics, the Jews and the Muslims—all were forbidden to read his works. He was the enemy of authority and advocated personal reason as the guide for men.
This view of intelligence is what makes many deeply religious people suspicious of intellectuals. However, while higher intelligence and educational attainment are somewhat correlated with atheism, many of the most brilliant people are religious—for example, Albert Einstein. Atheists include many who are not well educated or brilliant.
Emil Mihai Cioran was a Romanian-born philosopher and essayist, who published works in both Romanian and French. His work has been noted for its pervasive philosophical pessimism, style, and aphorisms. His works frequently engaged with issues of suffering, decay, and nihilism. In 1937, Cioran moved to the Latin Quarter of Paris, which became his permanent residence, wherein he lived in seclusion with his partner, Simone Boué.
