Eric Hoffer

To believe that if we could but have this or that we would be happy is to suppress the realization read more

To believe that if we could but have this or that we would be happy is to suppress the realization that the cause of our unhappiness is in our inadequate and blemished selves. Excessive desire is thus a means of suppressing our sense of worthlessness.

Retribution often means that we eventually do to ourselves what we have done unto others.

Retribution often means that we eventually do to ourselves what we have done unto others.

The most gifted members of the human species are at their creative best when they cannot have their way, and read more

The most gifted members of the human species are at their creative best when they cannot have their way, and must compensate for what they miss by realizing and cultivating their capacities and talents.

The real "haves" are they who can acquire freedom, self-confidence, and even riches without depriving others of them. They acquire read more

The real "haves" are they who can acquire freedom, self-confidence, and even riches without depriving others of them. They acquire all of these by developing and applying their potentialities. On the other hand, the real "have nots" are they who cannot have aught except by depriving others of it. They can feel free only by diminishing the freedom of others, self-confident by spreading fear and dependence among others, and rich by making others poor.

We run fastest and farthest when we run from ourselves.

We run fastest and farthest when we run from ourselves.