Communists are frustrated capitalists. Eric Hoffer More Quotes by Eric Hoffer More Quotes From Eric Hoffer We can be absolutely certain only about things we do not understand. Eric Hoffer agnosticism certain thinking The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness. Eric Hoffer laughter happy happiness They who lack talent expect things to happen without effort. They ascribe failure to a lack of inspiration or ability, or to misfortune, rather than to insufficient application. At the core of every true talent there is an awareness of the difficulties inherent in any achievement, and the confidence that by persistence and patience something worthwhile will be realized. Thus talent is a species of vigor. Eric Hoffer persistence failure inspiration Language was invented to ask questions. Answers may be given by grunts and gestures, but questions must be spoken. Humanness came of age when man asked the first question. Social stagnation results not from a lack of answers but from the absence of the impulse to ask questions. Eric Hoffer age answers men All mass movements strive, therefore, to interpose a fact-proof screen between the faithful and the realities of the world. They do this by claiming that the ultimate and absolute truth is already embodied in their doctrine and that there is no truth nor certitude outside it. The facts on which the true believer bases his conclusions must not be derived from his experience or observation but from holy writ. Eric Hoffer faithful doctrine reality Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power. Eric Hoffer atheist faith inspirational Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many. Eric Hoffer weakness power work Nonconformists travel as a rule in bunches. You rarely find a nonconformist who goes it alone. And woe to him inside a nonconformist clique who does not conform with nonconformity. Eric Hoffer woe conformity doe The only way to predict the future is to have power to shape the future. Eric Hoffer future shapes power The frustrated follow a leader less because of their faith that he is leading them to a promised land than because of their immediate feeling that he is leading them away from their unwanted selves. Surrender to a leader is not a means to an end but a fulfillment. Whither they are led is of secondary importance. Eric Hoffer land self mean To the frustrated, freedom from responsibility is more attractive than freedom from restraint. They are eager to barter their independence for relief from the burdens of willing, deciding and being responsible for inevitable failure. They willingly abdicate the directing of their lives to those who want to plan, command and shoulder all responsibility. Eric Hoffer independence frustrated responsibility 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. Eric Hoffer self-confidence real fear Far more critical than what we know or what we don't know is what we don't want to know. Eric Hoffer critical knows want People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them. Eric Hoffer gratitude respect hands The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not. Eric Hoffer atheist religious opposites It is by its promise of a sense of power that evil often attracts the weak. Eric Hoffer power evil promise What the intellectual craves above all else is to be taken seriously, to be treated as a decisive force in shaping history. He is far more at home in a society that weighs his every word and keeps close watch on his attitudes then in a society that cares not what he says or does. He would rather be persecuted than ignored. Eric Hoffer taken home attitude We run fastest and farthest when we run from ourselves. Eric Hoffer society running Passionate hatred can give meaning and purpose to an empty life. Eric Hoffer hate giving life What monstrosities would walk the streets were some people's faces as unfinished as their minds. Eric Hoffer mind faces people
