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We can be absolutely certain only about things we do not understand.

Eric Hoffer

Self-contempt, however vague, sharpens our eyes for the imperfections of others. We usually strive to reveal in others the blemishes we hide in ourselves.
ERIC HOFFER

Eyes Fade Hide Imperfection Ourselves Reveal Scars
Someone who thinks the world is always cheating him is right. He is missing that wonderful feeling of trust in someone or something.
ERIC HOFFER

Cheating Feeling Himself Missing Right Thinking Trust Wonderful World
We lie loudest when we lie to ourselves.
ERIC HOFFER

Lie Loud Ourselves
Language was invented to ask questions. Answers may be given by grunts and gestures, but questions must be spoken. Humanness came of age when man asked the first question.
ERIC HOFFER

Action Age Human Invention Language Man Talk
We can be absolutely certain only about things we do not understand.
ERIC HOFFER

Reality Understand
To change everything, simply change your attitude.
ERIC HOFFER

Attitude Change Simplicity Yourself
The ratio between supervisory and producing personnel is always highest where the intellectuals are in power. In a Communist country it takes half the population to supervise the other half.
ERIC HOFFER

Country Government High Intellectual Power Production
We see through others only when we see through ourselves.
ERIC HOFFER

Character Philosophy See Wisdom Yourself
Fair play is primarily not blaming others for anything that is wrong with us.
ERIC HOFFER

Blame Fair Play Wrong
The creative mind is the playful mind. Philosophy is the play and dance of ideas.
ERIC HOFFER

Creation Creative Dance Ideas Mindset Philosophy Play
Children are the keys of paradise.
ERIC HOFFER

Children Heaven Key One Liner
Anger is a prelude to courage.
ERIC HOFFER

Angry Courage One Liner
Up to now, America has not been a good milieu for the rise of a mass movement. What starts out here as a mass movement ends up as a racket, a cult, or a corporation.
ERIC HOFFER

End Goodness Military Rise
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.
ERIC HOFFER

Born Evil Government Human Kindness Life Sick Willing
The only way to predict the future is to have power to shape the future.
ERIC HOFFER

Deep Future Power Way
It is doubtful whether the oppressed ever fight for freedom. They fight for pride and power-power to oppress others.
ERIC HOFFER

Difference Doubt Fight Freedom Oppression Power Pride

We can be absolutely certain only about things we do not understand.

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We can be absolutely certain only about things we do not understand.

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