History Quote by E. M. Cioran
““It is my prejudice against everything that turns out well that has given me a taste for reading history.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Temptation of Existentialism”, 1935
Cioran’s bias against successful outcomes fuels his fascination with history, seeking insight in failure.
In simple terms: He prefers reading history because he distrusts happy endings.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about success.
Themes
skepticism
history
philosophy
bias
Mood
thoughtful
critical
introspective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- academic study
- personal reading
- debates
- writing projects
Key Concepts
existentialism
critical thinking
historical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we distrust well‑ended stories?
- Can failure teach more than success?
A Different Perspective
His prejudice may limit appreciation of positive lessons.
![“A capacity, and taste, for reading, gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others. It is the key, or one of the keys, to the already solved problems. And not only so. It gives a relish, and facility, for successfully pursuing the [yet] unsolved ones.” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e50/abraham-lincoln-88_capacity_a-capacity-and-taste-for-reading-gives-a_2294920.jpg)
