Eric Hoffer Quote

"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."

by:	Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American author, philosopher, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
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Categories:	Conscience, History, Hypocrisy, Ignorance, Oppression, Persecution, Power
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I'm not quite sure how to rate this; five stars for accuracy or thumbs down for accuracy and how it speaks to current society.  -- Mike, Norwalk      1
Mike, me either.  -- jim k, austin tx
In a democracy, 51% of the people can oppress 49%. The trick then, is to always woo the 2%. That is because no one understands (or acknowledges) that the Constitution guarantees a republican form of government in Article IV, Section 4. People are told this is a democracy (of course the real truth is we have an oligarchy).  -- Abby      1
http://www.buzzfeed.com/nicks29/11-crazy-laws-that-keep-you-from-getting-a-job-4y3w  -- Abby
Spoken like a true atheist.  -- Ron w13, Or
What does theism have to do with the quote? Humankind always thinks it is 'modern' and 'wiser' than previous generations -- yet, it seems history continues to repeat itself. The secularist fights the oppression of the church, and then simply creates a temple to oppress those that do not share his 'progressive' ideals. The progeny of freed slaves often still hold grudges even though their only chains are those to which they cling to avoid personal responsibility. Few people truly want freedom, they want a better status in the hierarchy. Rather than compete in an open market, they fortify their ranks against innovation. Is it any wonder that waging 'war' seems to be the most common solution for society's ills? Western 'civilization' indeed...  -- E Archer, NYC      1
Walking through the lands, of so called slavery, you find the same families, working the same ground, hand in hand. Doubt from the secular left, always breeds contempt. Wishing no one to have peace, if it is not their brand of liberty. Some very simple, but highly productive, wish not to become great capitalist. Only to live a peaceful satisfied life on the farm. If one thinks innovation, must be the better way, you are duped by the politician and salesman. My Grandfather was overseer of a peaceable farm with 300 families. Supporting each other with out intervention. To break the chains of superstition, Christian fundamentals and principals of decency and respect were taught and adhered to. The more informed to help the less to understand, Peace and safety. Love not hate. The beholding of the eye, is better than the wandering of desire.  -- Ron w13, Or
The people who overthrew Czar Nicholas, III are certainly an example of the oppressed wanting to oppress.  The colonists who overthrew King George, III are the only exception I know.  -- Durham, Birmingham, AL      1
The leftists (they aren't liberal or progressive) have done an incredible job of selling the lie that our republic is a "wonderful democracy."  If you confront them, you might be charged, as I was, with being an elitist who wants only the rich to be able to vote.  However, the Greeks had a democracy where women and slaves could not vote, and we could have a republic with or without universal suffrage.  Democracy and universal suffrage are not identical.  -- Durham, Birmingham,AL      1

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