E. M. Cioran A Short History of Decay Penguin Books

Jul 6, 2026

107

E. M. Cioran’s A Short History of Decay presents a compact, philosophically driven exploration of decomposition, decadence, and the erosion of meaning. The volume foregrounds themes such as death, failure, time, resignation, and the critique of civilization’s pretensions, moving through reflective motifs about misery, conscience, and the limits of knowledge. The included table of contents outlines multiple sections ranging from “Directions for Decomposition” to later investigations into decadence, absolutes, and intellectual adornment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages192

Reading Time4 h 56 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

Directions for Decomposition

The Second-Hand Thinker

Faces of Decadence

Sanctity and the Grimaces of the Absolute

The Decor of Knowledge

Abdications

E . M . CIORAN A Short History of Decay Translatedfrom the French by Richard Howard PENGUIN BOOKS PENGUIN ':LASS ICS Published by the Penguin Group Penguin Books Ltd, 80Strand, London WC2R aRL, England Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA Penguin Group (Canada), 90 EgHnton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 2Y3 (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) Penguin Ireland, 25 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd) Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria.1124. Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd, II Community Centre, Panchsheel Park. New Delhi-liD 017. India Penguin Group (NZ). 67 Apona Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632, New Zealand (a diviSion of Pearson New Zealand Ltd) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Ply) Ltd. 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R ORL, England [www.penguin.com](www.penguin.com) First published in France as Precti de decomposition 1949 This translation first published in the USA by Seaver Books 1975 Published in Penguin Classics 2010 Copyright © Editions Gallimard, 1949 Translation copyright © Seaver Books. 1975 All rights reserved Set in 10.5/13 pt Dante MT Typeset by Ellipsis Books Limited, Glasgow Printed in England by Clays Ltd, St \ves pIc Except in the United States of America, this book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold. hired out, or otnerwlse CII'CUlatea Without rne PUbliSher s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser ISBN: 978-0-141-19272-7 [www.greenpenguln.co.uk](www.greenpenguln.co.uk) D Mixed Sources FSe Penguin Books is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. The book in your hands is made from paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Contents I Directions for Decomposition 1 2 The Second-Hand Thinker 97 3 Faces of Decadence II3 4 Sanctity and the Grimaces of the Absolute 129 5 The Decor of Knowledge 147 6 Abdications ISS 1 Directionsfor Decomposition Genealogy of Fanaticism-The Anti-Prophet-In the Graveyard of Definitions-Civilization and Frivolity-Dissolving into God-Variations on Death-In the Margin of Moments-Dislocation of Time-Magnificent Futility-Exegesis of Failure-Coalition against Death-Supremacy of the Adjective-The Devil Reassured-Promenade around the Circumference-The Sundays of Life-Resignation-The Indirect Animal-The Key to Our Endurance-Annihilation by Deliverance-The Abstract Venom-The Consciousness of Misery-Interjective Thought-Apotheosis of the Vague-Solitude-Schism of the Heart-Twilight Thinkers-Resources of Self-Destruction-The Reactionary Angels-The Concern for Decency-Gamut of the Void-Certain Mornings-Militant Mourning-Immunity to Renunciation-The World's Equilibrium-Farewell to Philosophy-From Saint to Cynic-Return to the Elements-Subterfuges-Non-Resistance to Night-Turning a Cold Shoulder to Time-Two-Faced Freedom-Overworked by Dreams-The Model Traitor-In One of the Earth's Attics-Indefinite Horror-Unconscious DogmasDuality-The Renegade-Shades of the Future-The Flower of Fixed Ideas-The 'Celestial Dog' -Ambiguity of Genius-Idolatry of Disaster-The Demon-The Mockery of a 'New Life' -Triple Impasse-Cosmogony of Desire-Interpretation of Actions-Life without Objective-Acedia-Crimes of Courage and Fear-Disintoxication-Itinerary of Hate- 'La Perduta Gente' -History and Language-Philosophy and Prostitution-Obsession of the Essential-FeliCity of Epigones-Ultimate Audacity-Effigy of the A Short History of Decay Failure-Conditions of Tragedy-The Immanent Lie-The Coming of Consciousness-The Arrogance

FAQs

What is the central focus of A Short History of Decay?

The book centers on decay and decomposition as philosophical conditions, linking them to decadence, death, failure, and the weakening of meaning.

Which major themes are highlighted in the table of contents?

Themes include death, decadence, resignation, time, misery, failure, and the critique of knowledge and civilization’s frivolity.

How is the book organized according to the contents list?

It is structured into multiple numbered sections, starting with “Directions for Decomposition” and followed by further thematic chapters such as “The Second-Hand Thinker,” “Faces of Decadence,” and “The Decor of Knowledge.”

Jul 6, 2026

107

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