Single Idea 19612

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 2. Nihilism]

Full Idea

Everything which is done and undone in the universe bears the stamp of a filthy fragility, as if matter were the fruit of a scandal at the core of nothingness.

Gist of Idea

The universe is dirty and fragile, as if a scandal in nothingness had produced its matter

Source

E.M. Cioran (A Short History of Decay [1949], 1 'The Reactionary')

Book Reference

Cioran,E.M.: 'A Short History of Decay', ed/tr. Howard,Richard [Penguin 2010], p.40


A Reaction

A gloriously imagined idea, worthy of Shakespeare. By 'scandal' I suppose he implies that the universe is the bastard child of a horrible relationship. A prize exhibit for my 'Nihilism' collection. True nihilists, of course, don't write books.