Eric Hoffer ( 10 of 253 )
Spiritual stagnation ensues when man's environment becomes unpredictable or when his inner life is made wholly predictable.
Spiritual stagnation ensues when man's environment becomes unpredictable or when his inner life is made wholly predictable.
All mass movements generate in their adherents a readiness to die and a proclivity for united action; all of them, read more
All mass movements generate in their adherents a readiness to die and a proclivity for united action; all of them, irrespective of the doctrine they preach and the program they project, breed fanaticism, enthusiasm, fervent hope, hatred and intolerance; all of them are capable of releasing a powerful flow of activity in certain departments of life; all of them demand blind faith and singlehearted allegiance.
One might equate growing up with a mistrust of words. A mature person trusts his eyes more than his ears. read more
One might equate growing up with a mistrust of words. A mature person trusts his eyes more than his ears. Irrationality often manifests itself in upholding the word against the evidence of the eyes.Children, savages, and true believers remember far less what they have seen than what they have heard.
To some, freedom means the opportunity to do what they want to do; to most it means not to do read more
To some, freedom means the opportunity to do what they want to do; to most it means not to do what they do not want to do. It is perhaps true that those who can grow will feel free under any condition.
Thought is a process of exaggeration. The refusal to exaggerate is not infrequently an alibi for the disinclination to think read more
Thought is a process of exaggeration. The refusal to exaggerate is not infrequently an alibi for the disinclination to think or praise.
Fear comes from uncertainty. When we are absolutely certain, whether of our worth or our worthlessness, we are almost impervious read more
Fear comes from uncertainty. When we are absolutely certain, whether of our worth or our worthlessness, we are almost impervious to fear. Thus a feeling of utter worthlessness can be a source of courage.
Quite often the social doctors become part of the disease.
Quite often the social doctors become part of the disease.
It is a talent of the weak to persuade themselves that they suffer for something when they suffer from something; read more
It is a talent of the weak to persuade themselves that they suffer for something when they suffer from something; that they are showing the way when they are running away; that they see the light when they feel the heat; that they are chosen when they are shunned.
We are unified both by hating in common and by being hated in common.
We are unified both by hating in common and by being hated in common.
What greater reassurance can the weak have than that they are like anyone else?
What greater reassurance can the weak have than that they are like anyone else?
