"We used to think that revolutions are the cause of change. Actually it is the other way around: change prepares the ground for revolution."

Philosophy

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Insight & Reflection

This reflection on philosophy by Eric Hoffer resonates across generations. It highlights a fundamental truth about human nature: our continuous search for meaning in philosophy is what ultimately defines our character and our path forward.

About Eric Hoffer

Eric Hoffer was an American philosopher and social critic. A moderate with an atypical working-class background, Hoffer wrote ten books over his career and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in February 1983. His first book, The True Believer (1951), was widely recognized as a classic, receiving critical acclaim from both scholars and laymen, although Hoffer believed that The Ordeal of Change (1963) was his finest work. The Eric Hoffer Book Award is an international literary prize established in his honor. The University of California, Berkeley awards an annual literary prize named jointly for Hoffer.

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Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the ShortQuote Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by Eric Hoffer

"How much easier is self-sacrifice than self-realization!"

— Eric Hoffer
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"When we believe ourselves in possession of the only truth, we are likely to be indifferent to common everyday truths."

— Eric Hoffer
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"Man was nature's mistake she neglected to finish him and she has never ceased paying for her mistake."

— Eric Hoffer
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"Charlatanism of some degree is indispensable to effective leadership."

— Eric Hoffer
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More about Philosophy

"Basically I was a rebel growing up. I got kicked out of six schools. But I don't think that it makes you less of an intellect. You know, if you ever crave knowledge, there's always a library."

— Michelle Rodriguez
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"I want to host a religious show. I'm sure nobody will be wanting the 11 o'clock spot on Sunday morning. I think we should really get some of our own preachers and preach that gay is good. And we'd have a great choir."

— Kate Clinton
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"I think all jocks have a sensitive side. It's just, will they show it to anybody? Will they let their guard down and stop being tough and the cool jock guy around their friends, or just relax? I don't know if it's best to say opening up, but just relax and really say what you're actually thinking, and not what you think people want to hear."

— Channing Tatum
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"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words it is expressed in the choices one makes... and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility."

— Eleanor Roosevelt
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