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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.

— Eric Hoffer The True Believer: Thoughts On The Nature Of Mass Movements (1951)

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Pride

More quotes by Eric Hoffer

Mass movements can rise and spread without belief in a God, but never without belief in a devil.

The True Believer (1951)

Faith in a holy cause is to a considerable extent a substitute for the lost faith in ourselves.

The True Believer (1951)

The Jews are a peculiar people: things permitted to other nations are forbidden to the Jews.

Israel's Peculiar Position (1968)

To know a person's religion we need not listen to his profession of faith but must find his brand of intolerance.

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

There is hardly a single instance of cultural vigor marked by moderation in expression.

Eric Hoffer and the Art of the Notebook (2005)

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Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.

Charles Caleb Colton Lacon (1820)

'Tis pride, rank pride, and haughtiness of soul:
I think the Romans call it Stoicism.

Joseph Addison Cato, A Tragedy (1713)

No place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human hopes than a public library.

Samuel Johnson The Rambler (1750)

There are people who are known to be very liberal, yet they never give without scolding or pride or even insolence.

John Calvin

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Eric Hoffer (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.