The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements

by Eric Hoffer

A revolutionary movement is a conspicuous instrument of change.

The less justified a man is in claiming excellence for his own self, the more ready is he to claim all excellence for his nation, his religion, his race or his holy cause.

A man is likely to mind his own business when it is worth minding. When it is not, he takes his mind off his own meaningless affairs by minding other people’s business.

In running away from ourselves we either fall on our neighbor’s shoulder or fly at his throat.

We cannot be sure that we have something worth living for unless we are ready to die for it.

If he has to employ violence in shaping the new, his view of man’s nature darkens and approaches closer to that of the reactionary.

Strength of faith, as Bergson pointed out, manifests itself not in moving mountains but in not seeing mountains to move.13

Hatred is the most accessible and comprehensive of all unifying agents. It pulls and whirls the individual away from his own self, makes him oblivious of his weal and future, frees him of jealousies and self-seeking.

But we always look for allies when we hate.

Every lynching in our South not only intimidates the Negro but also invigorates the fanatical conviction of white supremacy.

“evil witnesses to the doings of men.”