Totalitarianism spells simplification: an enormous reduction in the variety of aims, motives, interests, human types, and, above all, in the categories and units of power. Eric Hoffer More Quotes by Eric Hoffer More Quotes From Eric Hoffer It is not actual suffering but the taste of better things which excites people to revolt. Eric Hoffer taste suffering people Intolerance is the ''Do Not Touch'' sign on something that cannot bear touching. We do not mind having our hair ruffled, but we will not tolerate any familiarity with the toupee which covers our baldness. Eric Hoffer humorous hair funny In man's life, the absence of an essential component usually leads to the adoption of a substitute. The substitute is usually embraced with vehemence and extremism, for we have to convince ourselves that what we took as second choice is the best there ever was. Thus blind faith is to a considerable extent a substitute for the lost faith in ourselves; insatiable desire a substitute for hope; accumulation a substitute for growth; fervent hustling a substitute for purposeful action; and pride a substitute for an unattainable self-respect. Eric Hoffer pride self men Without a sense of proportion there can be neither good taste nor genuine intelligence, nor perhaps moral integrity. Eric Hoffer balance taste integrity The Americans are poor haters in international affairs because of their innate feeling of superiority over all foreigners. An American's hatred for a fellow American is far more virulent than any antipathy he can work up against foreigners. Should Americans begin to hate foreigners wholeheartedly, it will be an indication that they have lost confidence in their own way of life. Eric Hoffer hate hatred feelings Self-righteousness is a loud din raised to drown the voice of guilt within us. Eric Hoffer voice humility self We often use strong language not to express a powerful emotion but to evoke it in us. Eric Hoffer powerful strong use The act of self-denial seems to confer on us the right to be harsh and merciless toward others. Eric Hoffer denial harsh self It is always safe to assume that people are more subtle and less sensitive than they seem. Eric Hoffer money relationship people All leaders strive to turn their followers into children. Eric Hoffer followers leader children Freedom means freedom from forces and circumstances which would turn man into a thing, which would impose on man the passivity and predictability of matter. By this test, absolute power is the manifestation most inimical to human uniqueness. Absolute power wants to turn people into malleable clay. Eric Hoffer power men mean The desire to be different from the people we live with is sometimes the result of our rejection- real or imagined- by them. Eric Hoffer rejection real people A great man's greatest good luck is to die at the right time. Eric Hoffer greatness good-luck time We do not usually look for allies when we love. Indeed, we often look on those who love with us as rivals and trespassers. But we always look for allies when we hate. Eric Hoffer allies hate love The sense of inferiority inherent in the act of imitation breeds resentment. The impulse of the imitators is to overcome the model they imitate. Eric Hoffer inferiority resentment overcoming Excesses are essentially gestures. It is easy to be extremely cruel, magnanimous, humble or self-sacrificing when we see ourselves as actors in a performance. Eric Hoffer sacrifice self humble Our frustration is greater when we have much and want more than when we have nothing and want some. We are less dissatisfied when we lack many things than when we seem to lack but one thing. Eric Hoffer frustration confusion want The pleasure we derive from doing favors is partly in the feeling it gives us that we are not altogether worthless. It is a pleasant surprise to ourselves. Eric Hoffer literature feelings giving One wonders whether a generation that demands instant satisfaction of all its needs and instant solution of the world's problems will produce anything of lasting value. Such a generation, even when equipped with the most modern technology, will be essentially primitive it will stand in awe of nature, and submit to the tutelage of medicine men. Eric Hoffer medicine technology men There is a close connection between lack of confidence and the passionate state of mind. Eric Hoffer connections passionate mind
