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One of the surprising privileges of intellectuals is that they are free to be scandalously asinine without harming their reputations.

Eric Hoffer

Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power.
ERIC HOFFER

Corruption Faith Power
It is futile to judge a kind deed by its motives. Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.
ERIC HOFFER

Death Judgement Kind Kindness Motive Ourselves
When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other.
ERIC HOFFER

Freedom Imitation People
The quality of ideas seems to play a minor role in mass movement leadership. What counts is the arrogant gesture, the complete disregard of the opinion of others, the singlehanded defiance of the world.
ERIC HOFFER

Ideas Leadership Play Quality World
Naivete in grownups is often charming; but when coupled with vanity it is indistinguishable from stupidity.
ERIC HOFFER

Charm Difference Growth Stupidity
It is not actual suffering but the taste of better things which excites people to revolt.
ERIC HOFFER

Excitement People Revolution Suffering Taste
Anger is a prelude to courage.
ERIC HOFFER

Angry Courage One Liner
The future belongs to the learners-not the knowers.
ERIC HOFFER

Future Learning World
The beginning of thought is in disagreement – not only with others but also with ourselves.
ERIC HOFFER

Agreement Beginning Ourselves Thinking
When people are bored it is primarily with themselves.
ERIC HOFFER

Boredom Oneself People
The greatest weariness comes from work not done.
ERIC HOFFER

Greatness Work
For many people, an excuse is better than an achievement because an achievement, no matter how great, leaves you having to prove yourself again in the future; but an excuse can last for life.
ERIC HOFFER

Achievement Future Greatness Leaving Life People Reason Yourself
We see through others only when we see through ourselves.
ERIC HOFFER

Character Philosophy See Wisdom Yourself
Take man’s most fantastic invention- God. Man invents God in the image of his longings, in the image of what he wants to be, then proceeds to imitate that image, vie with it, and strive to overcome it.
ERIC HOFFER

Atheist God Image Imitation Invention Man
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

Adult Difference Growth
We are told that talent creates its own opportunities. But it sometimes seems that intense desire creates not only its own opportunities, but its own talents.
ERIC HOFFER

Creation Desire Inspirational Motivational Opportunities Talent Wisdom

One of the surprising privileges of intellectuals is that they are free to be scandalously asinine without harming their reputations.

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One of the surprising privileges of intellectuals is that they are free to be scandalously asinine without harming their reputations.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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