Single Idea 19602

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 4. Boredom]

Full Idea

The man who knows nothing of ennui is still in the world's childhood.

Clarification

'ennui' (Fr) is boredom

Gist of Idea

You are stuck in the past if you don't know boredom

Source

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

Book Reference

Cioran,E.M.: 'A Short History of Decay', ed/tr. Howard,Richard [Penguin 2010], p.14


A Reaction

Boredom well may be the central experience of existentialism, rather than angst, or nihilism, or the temptations of suicide.