Anger is a prelude to courage. Eric Hoffer More Quotes by Eric Hoffer More Quotes From Eric Hoffer A man's worth is what he is divided by what he thinks he is. Eric Hoffer divided men thinking Free men are aware of the imperfection inherent in human affairs, and they are willing to fight and die for that which is not perfect. They know that basic human problems can have no final solutions, that our freedom, justice, equality, etc. are far from absolute, and that the good life is compounded of half measures, compromises, lesser evils, and gropings toward the perfect. The rejection of approximations and the insistence on absolutes are the manifestation of a nihilism that loathes freedom, tolerance, and equity. Eric Hoffer good-life fighting men Nature has no compassion. Nature accepts no excuses and the only punishment it knows is death. Eric Hoffer punishment nature compassion Those who would sacrifice a generation to realize an ideal are the enemies of mankind. Eric Hoffer generations sacrifice enemy Jesus was not a Christian, nor was Marx a Marxist. Eric Hoffer marxist christian jesus If the Communists win Europe and a large part of the world, it will not be because they know how to stir up discontent or how to infect people with hatred, but because they know how to preach hope. Eric Hoffer winning europe people The quality of ideas seems to play a minor role in mass movement leadership. What counts is the arrogant gesture, the complete disregard of the opinion of others, the singlehanded defiance of the world. Eric Hoffer quality play ideas Love-making is radical, while marriage is conservative. Eric Hoffer love-making radical conservative A successful social technique consists perhaps in finding unobjectionable means for individual self-assertion. Eric Hoffer successful self mean ...the differences between the conservative and the radical seem to Eric Hoffer differences spring attitude Somewhere between the Angels and the French lies the rest of humanity. Eric Hoffer angel humanity lying There is a powerful craving in most of us to see ourselves as instruments in the hands of others and thus free ourselves from the responsibility for acts which are prompted by our own questionable inclinations and impulses. Eric Hoffer powerful responsibility hands Our sense of power is more vivid when we break a man's spirit than when we win his heart. Eric Hoffer break-up winning heart The education explosion is producing a vast number of people who want to live significant, important lives but lack the ability to satisfy this craving for importance by individual achievement. The country is being swamped with nobodies who want to be somebodies. Eric Hoffer numbers country people The history of this country was made largely by people who wanted to be left alone. Those who could not thrive when left to themselves never felt at ease in America. Eric Hoffer country america people We are ready to die for an opinion but not for a fact Eric Hoffer ready opinion facts You cannot gauge the intelligence of an American by talking with him; you must work with him. The American polishes and refines his way of doing things-even the most commonplace-the way the French of the 17th century polished their maxims. Eric Hoffer gauges talking america Vehemence is the expression of a blind effort to support and uphold something that can never stand on its own. Whether it is our own meaningless self we are upholding, or some doctrine devoid of evidence, we can do it only in a frenzy of faith. Eric Hoffer support expression self Practically all writers and artists are aware of their destiny and see themselves as actors in a fateful drama. With me, nothing is momentous: obscure youth, glorious old age, fateful coincidences - nothing really matters. I have written a number of good sentences. I have kept free of delusions. I know I am going to die soon. Eric Hoffer destiny artist drama By circumstance and perhaps also by inclination, I think in complete intellectual isolation. To expect others to help me think seems to me almost like expecting them to help me digest my food. Eric Hoffer intellectual helping thinking
