Eric Hoffer, (1902-1983) American author, philosopher, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [31-39] of 39 Eric Hoffer quotesEric Hoffer QuotesEric Hoffer Previous 30 quotes The fact is that up to now a free society has not been good for the intellectual. It has neither accorded him a superior status to sustain his confidence nor made it easy for him to acquire an unquestioned sense of social usefulness. For he derives his sense of usefulness mainly from directing, instructing, and planning- from minding other people's business- and is bound to feel superfluous and neglected where people believe themselves competent to manage individual and communal affairs, and are impatient of supervision and regulation. A free society is as much a threat to the intellectual's sense of worth as an automated economy is to the workingman's sense of worth. Any social order that can function with a minimum of leadership will be anathema to the intellectual.~ Eric Hoffer I doubt if the oppressed ever fight for freedom. They fight for pride and for power -- power to oppress others. The oppressed want above all to imitate their oppressors; they want to retaliate.~ Eric Hoffer It is maintained that a society is free only when dissenting minorities have room to throw their weight around. As a matter of fact, a dissenting minority feels free only when it can impose its will on the majority: what it abominates most is the dissent of the majority.~ Eric Hoffer We clamour for equality chiefly in areas where we cannot ourselves hope to obtain excellence.~ Eric Hoffer One realizes that one of the chief differences between an adult and a juvenile is that the adult knows when he is an ass while the juvenile never does.~ Eric Hoffer It is doubtful if the oppressed ever fight for freedom. They fight for pride and power -- power to oppress others. The oppressed want above all to imitate their oppressors; they want to retaliate.~ Eric Hoffer The aspiration toward freedom is the most essentially human of all human manifestations.~ Eric Hoffer The remarkable thing is that we really love our neighbor as ourselves: we do unto others as we do unto ourselves. We hate others when we hate ourselves. We are tolerant toward others when we tolerate ourselves. We forgive others when we forgive ourselves. We are prone to sacrifice others when we are ready to sacrifice ourselves.~ Eric Hoffer When our individual interests and prospects do not seem worth living for, we are in desperate need for something apart from us to live for. All forms of dedication, devotion, loyalty and self-surrender are in essence a desperate clinging to something which might give worth and meaning to our lives.~ Eric Hoffer Previous 30 quotes Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print