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Single Idea 23073
[filed under theme 11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 1. Certainty
]
Full Idea
We have convictions only if we have studied nothing thoroughly.
Gist of Idea
Convictions are failures to study anything thoroughly
Source
E.M. Cioran (The Trouble with Being Born [1973], 08)
Book Ref
Cioran,E.M.: 'The Trouble with Being Born', ed/tr. Richard Howard [Penguin 2012], p.113
A Reaction
Excellent! I cannot imagine studying anything at all in great depth without it resulting in a dwindling expectation of full understanding. Philosophy in spades, but also probably any topic in history.
The
17 ideas
from 'The Trouble with Being Born'
23064
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So-called wisdom is just pondering things instead of acting
[Cioran]
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23062
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It is better to watch the hours pass, than trying to fill them
[Cioran]
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23063
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The first man obviously found paradise unendurable
[Cioran]
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23067
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Suicide is pointless, because it always comes too late
[Cioran]
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23065
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If only we could write like a reptile, of endless sensations and no concepts!
[Cioran]
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23068
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People who really believe anti-realism don't bother to prove it
[Cioran]
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23066
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Negation doesn't arise from reasoning, but from deep instincts
[Cioran]
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23069
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Fear cures boredom, because it is stronger
[Cioran]
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23071
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We could only be responsible if we had consented before birth to who we are
[Cioran]
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23070
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We morally dissolve if we spend time with excessive beauty
[Cioran]
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23072
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Systems are the worst despotism, in philosophy and in life
[Cioran]
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23073
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Convictions are failures to study anything thoroughly
[Cioran]
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23076
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If people always acted without words we would take them for robots
[Cioran]
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23075
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A text explained ceases to be a text
[Cioran]
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23074
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In anxiety people cling to what reinforces it, because it is a deep need
[Cioran]
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23077
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The word 'being' is very tempting, but in fact means nothing at all
[Cioran]
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23078
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Opinions are fine, but having convictions means something has gone wrong
[Cioran]
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