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Tears and Saints,Used
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By the mid1930s, Emil Cioran was already known as a leader of a new generation of politically committed Romanian intellectuals. Researching another, more radical book, Cioran was spending hours in a library poring over the lives of saints. As a modern hagiographer, Cioran 'dreamt' himself 'the chronicler of these saints' falls between heaven and earth, the intimate knower of the ardors in their hearts, the historian of God's insomniacs.' Inspired by Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, Cioran 'searched for the origin of tears.' He asked himself if saints could be 'the sources of tears' better light.''Who can tell?' he wrote in the first paragraph of this book, first published in Romania in 1937. 'To be sure, tears are their trace. Tears did not enter the world through the saints; but without them we would never have known that we cry because we long for a lost paradise.' By following in their traces, 'wetting the soles of one's feet in their tears,' Cioran hoped to understand how a human being can renounce being human. Written in Cioran's characteristic aphoristic style, this flamboyant, bold, and provocative book is one of his most importantand revelatoryworks.Cioran focuses not on martyrs or heroes but on the mysticsprimarily femalefamous for their keening spirituality and intimate knowledge of God. Their Christianity was antitheological, antiinstitutional, and based solely on intuition and sentiment. Many, such as Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, and Saint John of the Cross, have produced classic works of mystical literature; but Cioran celebrates many more minor and unusual figures as well.Following Nietzsche, he focuses explicitly on the political element hidden in saints' lives. In his hands, however, their charitable deeds are much less interesting than their thirst for pain and their equally powerful capacity to endure it. Behind their suffering and their uncanny ability to renounce everything through ascetic practices, Cioran detects a fanatical will to power.'Like Nietzsche, Cioran is an important religious thinker. His book intertwines God and music with passion and tears. . . . [Tears and Saints] has a chillingly contemporary ring that makes this translation important here and now.'Booklist
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Tears and Saints'? A: 'Tears and Saints' explores the lives of mystics, particularly female figures, who embody a spirituality that is more about intuition and sentiment than traditional theology. Cioran delves into their willingness to endure pain and their quest for understanding through the lens of tears and suffering.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Tears and Saints'? A: The author of 'Tears and Saints' is E. M. Cioran, a Romanian philosopher known for his profound and often provocative insights into spirituality and human experience.
- Q: What type of binding is used for this book? A: 'Tears and Saints' is published in hardcover binding, providing durability and a quality feel for readers.
- Q: When was 'Tears and Saints' first published? A: 'Tears and Saints' was first published in Romania in 1937, highlighting Cioran's early contributions to philosophical literature.
- Q: What is the page count of 'Tears and Saints'? A: 'Tears and Saints' contains 154 pages, making it a concise yet impactful read.
- Q: In what category does 'Tears and Saints' belong? A: 'Tears and Saints' is categorized under Angelology & Demonology, reflecting its exploration of spiritual themes and mystical figures.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: 'Tears and Saints' is listed in 'Very Good' condition, indicating that it is well-preserved and suitable for reading.
- Q: Is there a specific edition of 'Tears and Saints' available? A: Yes, the available edition of 'Tears and Saints' is the first edition, published in 1995.
- Q: What can readers expect from Cioran's writing style in this book? A: Readers can expect Cioran's characteristic aphoristic style in 'Tears and Saints,' marked by bold, provocative insights that challenge conventional thinking about spirituality.
- Q: Does 'Tears and Saints' focus on well-known saints? A: While 'Tears and Saints' discusses famous mystics like Catherine of Siena and Teresa of Avila, Cioran also highlights lesser-known figures, emphasizing their unique spiritual journeys and insights.