It is our talents rusting unused within us that secrete the poison of self-doubt into our bloodstream. 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 dividedmenthinking 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-lifefightingmen Nature has no compassion. Nature accepts no excuses and the only punishment it knows is death. Eric Hoffer punishmentnaturecompassion Those who would sacrifice a generation to realize an ideal are the enemies of mankind. Eric Hoffer generationssacrificeenemy Jesus was not a Christian, nor was Marx a Marxist. Eric Hoffer marxistchristianjesus 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 winningeuropepeople 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 qualityplayideas Love-making is radical, while marriage is conservative. Eric Hoffer love-makingradicalconservative A successful social technique consists perhaps in finding unobjectionable means for individual self-assertion. Eric Hoffer successfulselfmean ...the differences between the conservative and the radical seem to Eric Hoffer differencesspringattitude Somewhere between the Angels and the French lies the rest of humanity. Eric Hoffer angelhumanitylying 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 powerfulresponsibilityhands Our sense of power is more vivid when we break a man's spirit than when we win his heart. Eric Hoffer break-upwinningheart 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 numberscountrypeople 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 countryamericapeople We are ready to die for an opinion but not for a fact Eric Hoffer readyopinionfacts 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 gaugestalkingamerica 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 supportexpressionself 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 destinyartistdrama 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 intellectualhelpingthinking
