Regret Quote by E.M. Cioran
““To have the vice of scruple - to be an automaton of remorse.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Temptation to Exist by E.M. Cioran, 1957
Excessive self‑scrutiny turns one into a mechanical, remorse‑driven being.
In simple terms: Too much guilt makes you robotic.
Key Takeaway
Avoid over‑analyzing every feeling.
Themes
self‑criticism
existentialism
psychology
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal decisionmaking
- mental health counseling
- creative work
- relationship conflicts
Key Concepts
guilt
automation
autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- Is all remorse useful?
- How can one balance conscience and spontaneity?
A Different Perspective
Human emotions are complex; some guilt can be constructive.
![“The critical question about regret is whether experience led to growth and new learning. Some people seem to keep on making the same mistakes, while others at least make new ones. Regret and remorse can be either paralyzing or inspiring. [p. 199]” quote by Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/72f/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_critical_the-critical-question-about-regret-is-wh_20978.jpg)
![“The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before going in with [Larry] Holmes. That would have made all the difference.” quote by Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d63/gerry-cooney-20863_bigs_the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-m_1534.jpg)
