--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Does our ferocity not derive from the…" description: "\"Does our ferocity not derive from the fact that our instincts are all too interested in other people? If we attended more to ourselves and became the c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/emile-m-cioran-1211_aggression_does-our-ferocity-not-derive-from-the-fa_870427.jpg" --- # Does our ferocity not derive from the fact that our… ![“Does our ferocity not derive from the fact that our instincts are all too interested in other people? If we attended more to ourselves and became the center, the object of our murderous inclinations, the sum of our intolerances would diminish.” quote by Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/emile-m-cioran-1211_aggression_does-our-ferocity-not-derive-from-the-fa_870427.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/emile-m-cioran-1211_aggression_does-our-ferocity-not-derive-from-the-fa_870427.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/emile-m-cioran-1211_aggression_does-our-ferocity-not-derive-from-the-fa_870427.jpg) > “Does our ferocity not derive from the fact that our instincts are all too interested in other people? If we attended more to ourselves and became the center, the object of our murderous inclinations, the sum of our intolerances would diminish.” [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He suggests that focusing on ourselves rather than others would reduce our violent impulses and intolerance. **In simple terms:** Self‑focus could lessen aggression and prejudice. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑awareness to reduce hostility. Themes philosophy human nature violence Mood thoughtful somber Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - personal reflection - meditation - conflict resolution Key Concepts ego self‑centeredness intolerance Questions to Reflect On - What does self‑centeredness mean to you? - Can focusing inward truly curb aggression? A Different Perspective Human nature may resist self‑centering. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aggression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggression/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Ferocity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ferocity/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Intolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerance/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [Lucidity's task: to attain a correct despair, an Olympian ferocity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/lucidity-s-task-to-attain-a-correct-despair-an-olympian-ferocity/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [“...writing with ferocity is a gift, provided that ferocity is a monomaniacal devotion to pursuing the truth ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-geddes/writing-with-ferocity-is-a-gift-provided-that-ferocity-is-a/) [John Geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-geddes/) > [My idea is this, that when you only love a little you're naturally not jealous — or are only jealous also a little, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/my-idea-is-this-that-when-you-only-love-a-little-you-re-naturally-not/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [ I've had a chance to meet some of my civil rights heroes and, more recently, members of the young generation around \[Barack\] Obama, people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/i-ve-had-a-chance-to-meet-some-of-my-civil-rights-heroes-and-more/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [“The rabid ferocity of his reaction had confirmed Mother’s warnings, but I didn’t yet comprehend the depth of the revulsion that I inspired or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/the-rabid-ferocity-of-his-reaction-had-confirmed-mother-s-warnings/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Every impediment only served to make the inferno within them burn with greater ferocity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/every-impediment-only-served-to-make-the-inferno-within-them-burn/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [I do not dream of a gentle revolution. My passion runs to the violence of supersession, the ferocity of a life that renounces nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raoul-vaneigem/i-do-not-dream-of-a-gentle-revolution-my-passion-runs-to-the-violence/) [Raoul Vaneigem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raoul-vaneigem/) > [How can such episodes of such savage cruelty happen? The heart of man is an abyss out of which sometimes emerge plots of unspeakable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/how-can-such-episodes-of-such-savage-cruelty-happen-the-heart-of-man/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [Those who march with us will certainly face abuse, misunderstanding, bitter animosity, and possibly the ferocity of struggle and of danger. In return, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-mosley/those-who-march-with-us-will-certainly-face-abuse-misunderstanding/) [Oswald Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-mosley/) > [ \[It is nice\] to explore someone's will to survive, the ferocity of loyalty, how far you would go to protect the ones you love...… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-aselton/it-is-nice-to-explore-someone-s-will-to-survive-the-ferocity-of/) [Katie Aselton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-aselton/) > [ I wish \[my wife\] would \[work\] because - especially now the kind of - I mean, honesty is hardly the word. She writes with… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-hentoff/i-wish-my-wife-would-work-because-especially-now-the-kind-of-i-mean/) [Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-hentoff/) > [I am trying so very hard to stay in the moment despite the ferocity of my ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/i-am-trying-so-very-hard-to-stay-in-the-moment-despite-the-ferocity/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [...to swear with a ferocity that can only be described as a talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/to-swear-with-a-ferocity-that-can-only-be-described-as-a-talent/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [There was a period... when I used to say, with as much ferocity as I could muster, 'I hate Henry James, and I wish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-ozick/there-was-a-period-when-i-used-to-say-with-as-much-ferocity-as-i/) [Cynthia Ozick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-ozick/) > [Why on earth should we be at each other's throats? Why do people insist on defending their ideas and opinions with such ferocity, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-g-farrell-2/why-on-earth-should-we-be-at-each-other-s-throats-why-do-people/) J. G. Farrell ## More by Emile M. Cioran > [What does the future, that half of time, matter to the man who is infatuated with eternity?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/what-does-the-future-that-half-of-time-matter-to-the-man-who-is/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [Progress is the injustice each generation commits with regard to its predecessors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/progress-is-the-injustice-each-generation-commits-with-regard-to-its/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [To defy heredity is to defy billions of years, to defy the first cell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/to-defy-heredity-is-to-defy-billions-of-years-to-defy-the-first-cell/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [A people represents not so much an aggregate of ideas and theories as of obsessions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/a-people-represents-not-so-much-an-aggregate-of-ideas-and-theories-as/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > ["The Holy Ghost," Luther instructs us, "is not a skeptic." Not everyone can be, and that is really too bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/the-holy-ghost-luther-instructs-us-is-not-a-skeptic-not-everyone-can/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [Every word affords me pain. Yet how sweet it would be if I could hear what the flowers have to say about death!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/every-word-affords-me-pain-yet-how-sweet-it-would-be-if-i-could-hear/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [Woes and wonders of Power, that tonic hell, synthesis of poison and panacea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/woes-and-wonders-of-power-that-tonic-hell-synthesis-of-poison-and/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [If each of us were to confess his most secret desire, the one that inspires all his plans, all his actions, he would say:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/if-each-of-us-were-to-confess-his-most-secret-desire-the-one-that/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [He who hates himself is not humble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/he-who-hates-himself-is-not-humble/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [Impossible to spend sleepless nights and accomplish anything: if, in my youth, my parents had not financed my insomnias, I should surely have killed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/impossible-to-spend-sleepless-nights-and-accomplish-anything-if-in-my/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [One is and remains a slave as long as one is not cured of hoping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/one-is-and-remains-a-slave-as-long-as-one-is-not-cured-of-hoping/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [Let us not be needlessly bitter: certain failures are sometimes fruitful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/let-us-not-be-needlessly-bitter-certain-failures-are-sometimes/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [Ambition is a drug that makes its addicts potential madmen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/ambition-is-a-drug-that-makes-its-addicts-potential-madmen/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [Humanity adores only those who cause it to perish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/humanity-adores-only-those-who-cause-it-to-perish/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [Psychoanalysis is a technique we practice at our cost; psychoanalysis degrades our risks, our dangers, our depths; it strips us of our impurities, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/psychoanalysis-is-a-technique-we-practice-at-our-cost-psychoanalysis/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) [Explore all 272 Emile M. Cioran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) ## More Aggression quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I used to fight with hate. There's been a lot of aggression in my past growing up and stuff. That's because I was hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-namajunas/i-used-to-fight-with-hate-there-s-been-a-lot-of-aggression-in-my-past/) [Rose Namajunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-namajunas/) > [We have nothing in our history or position to invite aggression; we have everything to beckon us to the cultivation of relations of peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-have-nothing-in-our-history-or-position-to-invite-aggression-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I take up the standpoint that the tendency to aggression is an innate, independent, instinctual disposition in man, and I come back now to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/i-take-up-the-standpoint-that-the-tendency-to-aggression-is-an-innate/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [Boxing can be so important to young people, it keeps you off the street and you can channel your energy and aggression in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-benn/boxing-can-be-so-important-to-young-people-it-keeps-you-off-the/) [Nigel Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-benn/) > [“That which is of great value cannot be attained through aggression. You will be able to find the mystery of life only if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/that-which-is-of-great-value-cannot-be-attained-through-aggression/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [A society that presumes a norm of violence and celebrates aggression, whether in the subway, on the football field, or in the conduct of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-h-lapham/a-society-that-presumes-a-norm-of-violence-and-celebrates-aggression/) [Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-h-lapham/) > [I can remember watching MTV Cribs - these amazing houses - and looking around my house where there was no carpet on the floors.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bugzy-malone/i-can-remember-watching-mtv-cribs-these-amazing-houses-and-looking/) [Bugzy Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bugzy-malone/) > [Nationalism, on my opinion, is nothing more than an idealistic rationalization for militarism and aggression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/nationalism-on-my-opinion-is-nothing-more-than-an-idealistic/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I really like battle ropes. They're so versatile; you can get a terrific workout doing a ton of different exercises with them. My clients…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-peterson/i-really-like-battle-ropes-they-re-so-versatile-you-can-get-a/) [Gunnar Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-peterson/) > [ Now they \[the Powers\] have started the aggression, and the extinction of our nation is imminent. If we just fold our arms and yield… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/empress-dowager-cixi/now-they-the-powers-have-started-the-aggression-and-the-extinction-of/) Empress Dowager Cixi > [I'm not going to appeal to violence or aggression - of course not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexei-navalny/i-m-not-going-to-appeal-to-violence-or-aggression-of-course-not/) [Alexei Navalny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexei-navalny/) > [This is passive-aggression in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/this-is-passive-aggression-in-action/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [When a child hits a child, we call it aggression. 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