The purpose of this article is to indicate the most important aspects of the tragedy of human existence as they were encompassed in the philosophy of Emil Cioran. The first aspect is the non-existence of God and the consequences of this non-existence for man. With the disappearance of God, the consolation through the idea of salvation, the promise of life after death, and the meaning of existence also disappear. The second aspect is the fatality of the historical process. Man is the object of history rather than the subject. Progress is an illusion, as are utopias. The third aspect is Cioran’s perception of birth as a misfortune. We are born in order to die, but before we die, we must face suffering. Human is an abnormal animal. We are not able to maintain happiness. Doing evil comes too lightly to human beings and it is too natural. Consciousness is the fourth aspect of the tragedy of existence. Awareness is associated with suffering (and is a product of suffering). Awareness of having body is terrifying – and the awareness of inevitable death can be paralyzing for humans. Eventually there are two main ways of finding relief from the tragedy of existence, in the thought of Cioran: the idea of the suicide and laughter. They are effective, but to a small extent.