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
self-esteem humility vanity
There is no doubt that in exchanging a self-centered for a selfless life we gain enormously in self-esteem. The vanity of the selfless, even those who practice utmost humility, is boundless.
men survival kind
The pre-human creature from which man evolved was unlike any other living thing in its malicious viciousness toward its own kind. Humanization was not a leap forward but a groping toward survival.
believe everyday common
When we believe ourselves in possession of the only truth, we are likely to be indifferent to common everyday truths.
adversity past preoccupation
A preoccupation with the future not only prevents us from seeing the present as it is but often prompts us to rearrange the past.
work ambition men
Man is the only creature that strives to surpass himself, and yearns for the impossible.
sarcastic freedom sarcasm
When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other.
humility self voice
Self-righteousness is a loud din raised to drown the voice of guilt within us.
hope people opiates
It is the around-the-corner brand of hope that prompts people to action, while the distant hope acts as an opiate.
people suffering taste
It is not actual suffering but the taste of better things which excites people to revolt.
sometimes
We usually see only the things we are looking for- so much so that we sometimes see them where they are not.
happiness being-happy simple
You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy.
thinking certain agnosticism
We can be absolutely certain only about things we do not understand.
numbers soul weakness
The weakness of a soul is proportionate to the number of truths that must be kept from it.
time good-luck greatness
A great man's greatest good luck is to die at the right time.