Eric Hoffer
Eric Hoffer
Eric Hofferwas an American moral and social philosopher. He was the author of ten books and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in February 1983. His first book, The True Believer, was widely recognized as a classic, receiving critical acclaim from both scholars and laymen, although Hoffer believed that The Ordeal of Change was his finest work...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth25 July 1902
CountryUnited States of America
hate way lost
Should Americans begin to hate foreigners wholeheartedly, it will be an indication that they have lost confidence in their own way of life.
self people leave-me-alone
People unfit for freedom - who cannot do much with it - are hungry for power. The desire for freedom is an attribute of a "have" type of self. It says: leave me alone and I shall grow, learn, and realize my capacities. The desire for power is basically an attribute of a "have not" type of self.
acquire depriving others riches
The real ""haves"" are they who can acquire freedom, self-confidence, and even riches without depriving others of them
kindness
Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.
acts breeds civilization decency evil government human ill judge life matter noble objectives people quality
The only index by which to judge a government or a way of life is by the quality of the people it acts upon. No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life, and breeds ill will and suspicion- it is an evil government.
imitation rudeness strength weak
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength
thank-you thankful gratitude
The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.
modernism industry modernity
When you automate an industry you modernize it; when you automate a life you primitivize it.
learners
The future belongs to the learners-not the knowers.
conformity clique nonconformist
You rarely find a nonconformist who goes it alone
accomplished ask-me sentences
If anybody asks me what I have accomplished, I will say all I have accomplished is that I have written a few good sentences.
creates desire seems
It sometimes seems that intense desire creates not only its own opportunities, but its own talents.