Single Idea 19622

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

Full Idea

When we realise that no human motive is compatible with infinity, and that no gesture is worth the trouble of making it, our heart, by its very beating, can no longer conceal its vacuity.

Gist of Idea

The pointlessness of our motives and irrelevance of our gestures reveals our vacuity

Source

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

Book Reference

Cioran,E.M.: 'A Short History of Decay', ed/tr. Howard,Richard [Penguin 2010], p.76


A Reaction

An interesting choice of reasons. Nihilism in comparison with infinity, and in comparison with the vastness of society? If you were immortal, and there were only fifty other humans, would that help?