Eric Hoffer (July 25, 1902 – May 21, 1983) was an American social writer. He was the author of ten books and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in February 1983. His first book, The True Believer, published in 1951, was widely recognized as a classic, receiving critical acclaim from both scholars and laymen, although Hoffer believed that his book The Ordeal of Change was his finest work. In 2001, the Eric Hoffer Award was established in his honor with permission granted by the Eric Hoffer Estate in 2005.
Read more about Eric Hoffer: Biography, Working Class Roots, On The Nature and Origins of Mass Movements, Views and Opinions, Hoffer's Papers, Published Works, Interviews, Awards and Recognition
Famous quotes by eric hoffer:
“Our achievements speak for themselves. What we have to keep track of are our failures, discouragements, and doubts. We tend to forget the past difficulties, the many false starts, and the painful groping. We see our past achievements as the end result of a clean forward thrust, and our present difficulties as signs of decline and decay.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)
“Action is at bottom a swinging and flailing of the arms to regain one’s balance and keep afloat.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)
“The prehuman creature from which man evolved was unlike any other living thing in its malicious viciousness toward its own kind.... Humanization was not a leap forward but a groping toward survival.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)
“The beginning of thought is in disagreement—not only with others but also with ouselves.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)
“When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)