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Quotes from The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms — Eric Hoffer

1902–1983 United States

← All quotes by Eric Hoffer

45 quotes

The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

No one is truly literate who cannot read his own heart.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

Every extreme attitude is a flight from the self.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

They hate not wickedness but weakness. When it is their power to do so, the weak destroy weakness wherever they see it.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

To spell out the obvious is often to call it in question.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

Our credulity is greatest concerning the things we know least about.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

When we believe ourselves in possession of the only truth, we are likely to be indifferent to common everyday truths.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

A doctrine insulates the devout not only against the realities around them but also against their own selves. The fanatical believer is not conscious of his envy, malice, pettiness and dishonesty. There is a wall of words between his consciousness and his real self.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

There is fear and intolerance in pride; it is sensitive and uncompromising. The less promise and potency in the self, the more imperative is the need for pride. The core of pride is self-rejection.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

It has often been said that power corrupts. But it is perhaps equally important to realize that weakness, too, corrupts. Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many. Hatred, malice, rudeness, intolerance, and suspicion are the faults of weakness.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

We usually see only the things we are looking for — so much so that we sometimes see them where they are not.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

The pleasure we derive from doing favors is partly in the feeling it gives us that we are not altogether worthless.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

We lie loudest when we lie to ourselves.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

To most of us nothing is so invisible as an unpleasant truth. Though it is held before our eyes, pushed under our noses, rammed down our throats — we know it not.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

The uncompromising attitude is more indicative of an inner uncertainty than of deep conviction. The implacable stand is directed more against the doubt within than the assailant without.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

Those in possession of absolute power can not only prophesy and make their prophecies come true, but they can also lie and make their lies come true.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

The beginning of thought is in disagreement — not only with others but also with ourselves.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

We know ourselves chiefly by hearsay.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

Whenever we proclaim the uniqueness of a religion, a truth, a leader, a nation, a race, a part or a holy cause, we are also proclaiming our own uniqueness.

The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Eric Hoffer (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.