We cannot hate those who we despise. 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 agnosticismcertainthinking The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness. Eric Hoffer laughterhappyhappiness 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 persistencefailureinspiration 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 ageanswersmen 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 faithfuldoctrinereality Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power. Eric Hoffer atheistfaithinspirational Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many. Eric Hoffer weaknesspowerwork 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 woeconformitydoe The only way to predict the future is to have power to shape the future. Eric Hoffer futureshapespower 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 landselfmean 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 independencefrustratedresponsibility 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-confidencerealfear Far more critical than what we know or what we don't know is what we don't want to know. Eric Hoffer criticalknowswant People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them. Eric Hoffer gratituderespecthands 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 atheistreligiousopposites It is by its promise of a sense of power that evil often attracts the weak. Eric Hoffer powerevilpromise 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 takenhomeattitude We run fastest and farthest when we run from ourselves. Eric Hoffer societyrunning Passionate hatred can give meaning and purpose to an empty life. Eric Hoffer hategivinglife What monstrosities would walk the streets were some people's faces as unfinished as their minds. Eric Hoffer mindfacespeople
