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The conservatism of a religion - it's orthodoxy - is the inert coagulum of a once highly reactive sap.

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
Orthodoxy
Conservatism
Highly
Religion
Reactive
Inert
Sap

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The effectiveness of a doctrine does not come from its meaning but from its certitude. No doctrine however profound and sublime will be effective unless it is presented as the embodiment of the one and only truth
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Fair play is primarily not blaming others for anything that is wrong with us.
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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.
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A preoccupation with the future not only prevents us from seeing the present as it is but often prompts us to rearrange the past.
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If anybody asks me what I have accomplished, I will say all I have accomplished is that I have written a few good sentences.
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Where unity and self-sacrifice are indispensable for the normal functioning of society, everyday life is likely to be either religiofied (common tasks turned into holy causes) or militarized.
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First something is a great idea, then it becomes a cause, then it becomes a business and finally it becomes a racket.
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It is to escape the responsibility for failure that the weak so eagerly throw themselves into grandiose undertakings.
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There is need for some kind of make-believe in order to face death unflinchingly. To our real, naked selves there is not a thing on earth or in heaven worth dying for.
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When cowardice becomes a fashion its adherents are without number, and it masquerades as forbearance, reasonableness and whatnot.
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It is doubtful if the oppressed ever fight for freedom. They fight for pride and power - power to oppress others. The oppressed want above all to imitate their oppressors they want to retaliate.
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The real Antichrist is he who turns the wine of an original idea into the water of mediocrity.
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Ideas have significance for him only as a prelude to action.
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What monstrosities would walk the streets were some people's faces as unfinished as their minds.
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One of the surprising privileges of intellectuals is that they are free to be scandalously asinine without harming their reputations.
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There are many who have grave scruples about deceiving but think it as nothing to deceive themselves.
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If a society is to preserve stability and a degree of continuity, it must learn how to keep its adolescents from imposing their tastes, values, and fantasies on everyday life.
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A good sentence is a key . It unlocks the mind of the reader.
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Actual creativeness is a matter of moments. One has to piece together the minute grains to make a lump. And it is so easy to miss the momentary flashes, it is like sluicing in placer mining. He who lets the flakes float by has nothing to show for his trouble.
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This food-and-shelter theory concerning man's efforts is without insight. The desire for praise is more imperative than the desire for food and shelter
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