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The short-lived self, teetering on the edge of extinction, is the only thing that can ever really matter.

Eric Hoffer

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Eric Hoffer
Age: 84 †
Born: 1898
Born: July 25
Died: 1983
Died: May 21
Philosopher
Psychologist
Writer
New York City
New York
Matter
Self
Teetering
Thing
Extinction
Really
Edge
Edges
Lived
Short
Ever

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Failure in the management of practical affairs seems to be a qualification for success in the management of public affairs.
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What merit there is in my thinking is derived from two peculiarities: (1) My inability to be familiar with anything. I simply can't take things for granted. (2) My endless patience. I assume that the only way to find an answer is to hang on long enough and keep groping.
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When cowardice is made respectable, its followers are without number both from among the weak and the strong it easily becomes a fashion.
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It is easier to love humanity as a whole than to love one's neighbor.
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Naivete in grownups is often charming but when coupled with vanity it is indistinguishable from stupidity.
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Excesses are essentially gestures. It is easy to be extremely cruel, magnanimous, humble or self-sacrificing when we see ourselves as actors in a performance.
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Creativity is discontent translated into arts.
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The misery of a child is interesting to a mother, the misery of a young man is interesting to a young woman, the misery of an old man is interesting to nobody.
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We cannot hate those who we despise.
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Resistance, whether to one's appetites or to the ways of the world, is a chief factor in the shaping of character.
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There is no alienation that a little power will not cure.
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The urge to escape our real self is also an urge to escape the rational and the obvious.
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We clamor for equality chiefly in matters in which we ourselves cannot hope to obtain excellence.
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Communists are frustrated capitalists.
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Every extreme attitude is a fight from the self.
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That which is unique and worthwhile in us makes itself felt only in flashes. If we do not know how to catch and savor the flashes we are without growth and exhilaration.
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