--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Were we to undertake an exhaustive…" description: "\"Were we to undertake an exhaustive self-scrutiny, disgust would paralyze us, we would be doomed to a thankless existence.\" — Emile M. Cioran" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/852/emile-m-cioran-1211_disgust_were-we-to-undertake-an-exhaustive-self_2640567.jpg" --- # Were we to undertake an exhaustive self-scrutiny, disgust… ![“Were we to undertake an exhaustive self-scrutiny, disgust would paralyze us, we would be doomed to a thankless existence.” quote by Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/852/emile-m-cioran-1211_disgust_were-we-to-undertake-an-exhaustive-self_2640567.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/852/emile-m-cioran-1211_disgust_were-we-to-undertake-an-exhaustive-self_2640567.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/852/emile-m-cioran-1211_disgust_were-we-to-undertake-an-exhaustive-self_2640567.jpg) > “Were we to undertake an exhaustive self-scrutiny, disgust would paralyze us, we would be doomed to a thankless existence.” [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. Intense self‑scrutiny leads to disgust and a meaningless, thankless life. **In simple terms:** Self‑scrutiny can paralyze us. Key Takeaway Balance self‑analysis with acceptance. Themes existentialism self‑critique meaninglessness Mood reflective somber Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal development - mental health - creative work Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - How much self‑reflection is healthy? - What practices foster meaning? A Different Perspective Over‑analysis may cause paralysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Disgust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgust/) [Disgust Paralyze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgust-paralyze-2265774/) [Disgusting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgusting/) [Doomed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doomed/) [Doomed Thankless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doomed-thankless-2265775/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Scrutiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scrutiny/) [Scrutiny Disgust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scrutiny-disgust-2265773/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Scrutiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-scrutiny-2150883/) [Thankless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thankless/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [“A moment or two of serious self-scrutiny, and you might observe that you no more decide the next thought you think than the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/a-moment-or-two-of-serious-self-scrutiny-and-you-might-observe-that/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [There are moments when the inner life actually 'pays,' when years of self-scrutiny, conducted for no ulterior motive, are suddenly of practical use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/there-are-moments-when-the-inner-life-actually-pays-when-years-of/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) > [We seek for truth in ourselves; in our neighbours, and in its essential nature. We find it first in ourselves by severe self scrutiny,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-bernard/we-seek-for-truth-in-ourselves-in-our-neighbours-and-in-its-essential/) [Saint Bernard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-bernard/) > [Let America realize that self-scrutiny is not treason. Self-examination is not disloyalty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cushing/let-america-realize-that-self-scrutiny-is-not-treason-self/) [Richard Cushing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cushing/) > [“Achieving the good life is more a matter of being than of doing or giving. It calls for intense self-scrutiny, a relentless honesty about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/achieving-the-good-life-is-more-a-matter-of-being-than-of-doing-or/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Let's face it: Serious self-scrutiny has not been one of our notable characteristics. We are far more aware of what we want to change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seymour-sarason/let-s-face-it-serious-self-scrutiny-has-not-been-one-of-our-notable/) [Seymour Sarason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seymour-sarason/) > [Must you continue to be your own cross? No matter which way God leads you, you change everything into bitterness by constantly brooding over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/must-you-continue-to-be-your-own-cross-no-matter-which-way-god-leads/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“it’s a thankless job, telling people it’s a hard, hard Universe they’re in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/it-s-a-thankless-job-telling-people-it-s-a-hard-hard-universe-they-re/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [Scarlett O'Hara is going to be a thankless and difficult role. The part I'd like to play is Rhett Butler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norma-shearer/scarlett-o-hara-is-going-to-be-a-thankless-and-difficult-role-the/) [Norma Shearer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norma-shearer/) > [Computer programmers tend, by and large, to be quirky and highly individualistic. Trying to organize or manage such awkward characters is normally as thankless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-naughton/computer-programmers-tend-by-and-large-to-be-quirky-and-highly/) [John Naughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-naughton/) > [In spite of its romantic frisson, the position of muse is very vague and largely thankless for the muse herself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-roiphe/in-spite-of-its-romantic-frisson-the-position-of-muse-is-very-vague/) [Katie Roiphe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-roiphe/) > [Meddling with another man's folly is always thankless work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/meddling-with-another-man-s-folly-is-always-thankless-work/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [We need to reward the 'thankless job' of substitute teaching with better pay and chances for permanent positions. I look forward to the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/we-need-to-reward-the-thankless-job-of-substitute-teaching-with/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [I have some friends who are actors. I've watched them work. And I would say that of all the arts, acting is the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-stewart/i-have-some-friends-who-are-actors-i-ve-watched-them-work-and-i-would/) [Kristen Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-stewart/) > [We are surrounded every day by people who do thankless but important work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-kilmeade/we-are-surrounded-every-day-by-people-who-do-thankless-but-important/) [Brian Kilmeade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-kilmeade/) ## 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 Disgust quotes > [“Joe!” he groaned, attempting to speak clearly. “Joe! Good ol’ Joe!” “Captain, you’re drunk!” Lofflin said, stating the obvious while trying to keep his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-engela/joe-he-groaned-attempting-to-speak-clearly-joe-good-ol-joe-captain/) [Christina Engela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-engela/) > [“but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-shelley/but-now-that-i-had-finished-the-beauty-of-the-dream-vanished-and/) [Mary Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-shelley/) > [“in my afterword, which discusses the ugliest of all ugly feelings: disgust. As”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sianne-ngai/in-my-afterword-which-discusses-the-ugliest-of-all-ugly-feelings/) [Sianne Ngai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sianne-ngai/) > [Unless an entire row of people got up in the middle of a performance and left the theater in disgust, I felt as though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-piven/unless-an-entire-row-of-people-got-up-in-the-middle-of-a-performance/) [Jeremy Piven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-piven/) > [Good God, man, what is that smell?" He eyed with disgust the doctor's filthy cloak. "Life," answered the doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/good-god-man-what-is-that-smell-he-eyed-with-disgust-the-doctor-s/) [Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/) > [Of all facial expressions, which is the worst to have aimed at you? Wouldn't you agree it's disgust?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leif-enger/of-all-facial-expressions-which-is-the-worst-to-have-aimed-at-you/) [Leif Enger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leif-enger/) > [“He has the look of someone whose soul got up and walked away in disgust a long time ago.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-kidd/he-has-the-look-of-someone-whose-soul-got-up-and-walked-away-in/) [Jess Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-kidd/) > [Love turns, with a little indulgence, to indifference or disgust; hatred alone is immortal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/love-turns-with-a-little-indulgence-to-indifference-or-disgust-hatred/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [He made a sound of disgust in the back of his throat. "Oh thank you so much. That's what every man wants to hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/he-made-a-sound-of-disgust-in-the-back-of-his-throat-oh-thank-you-so/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [The reason that last-ditch political maneuvering has become business as usual in Washington is that the actors involved are drunk on blame and are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kirn/the-reason-that-last-ditch-political-maneuvering-has-become-business/) [Walter Kirn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kirn/) > [“His excuse made the corners of my mouth turn up. “You think I’m beautiful?” He frowned with disgust. “You’re gorgeous and you know it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/his-excuse-made-the-corners-of-my-mouth-turn-up-you-think-i-m/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [“I don't like animals. It's a strange thing, I don't like men and I don't like animals. As for God, he is beginning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/i-don-t-like-animals-it-s-a-strange-thing-i-don-t-like-men-and-i-don/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [“Because of the size of this body, I must concentrate much harder than I usually do. Even the small things -- my foot on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/because-of-the-size-of-this-body-i-must-concentrate-much-harder-than/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [“…in that moment, as he saw and smelled how irresistible its effect was and how with lightning speed it spread and made captives of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-s-skind/in-that-moment-as-he-saw-and-smelled-how-irresistible-its-effect-was/) [Patrick Süskind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-s-skind/) > [That man has missed something who has never left a brothel at sunrise feeling like throwing himself into the river out of pure disgust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/that-man-has-missed-something-who-has-never-left-a-brothel-at-sunrise/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) [Browse all 274 Disgust quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgust/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Were we to undertake an exhaustive self-scrutiny, disgust would paralyze us, we would be doomed to a thankless existence.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emile M. 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