"Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket."
by:
Eric Hoffer
(1902-1983) American author, philosopher, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Rating:
Categories:
 
Bookmark and Share  
Reader comments about this quote:
Eric Hoffer had an all too rare talent for analyzing and succinctly describing mass movements.
 -- Jackson Peterson, Bremerton, WA     
  • 3
    		•  
    That's one way of looking at it.
     -- Bobble, No. Ferrisburgh, VT     
    		•  
    I am with Bobble on this. It can be accurate enough but, the "Every" takes it out of the "every".
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
  • 1
    		•  
    Change "every" to "many" and you have it.
     -- jim k, Austin     
  • 1
    		•  
    The circle of socialism, the first step of compliance. Privileged vs We the People. Starts with the farmers ! left !
     -- Ronw13, Yachats OR     
  • 1
    		•  
    Hmm, name me a great cause that has not degenerated into a racket... The next step of course is REFORM. The quote is bang on. Good examples: organized religion, banking, representative government, medicine, law, construction, manufacturing, telecommunications, transportation, ... what have I missed?
     -- E Archer, NYC     
  • 1
    		•  
    E Archer has it. I can't seem to think of one. Sierra Club? Nah. How about United Way? No way. The only one that might not fit the statement is the right to life movement, I would not be surprised to find out that there is some people out there running some scams under that pretence but I can't hold that against the movement. I suppose the idea that life is precious is entirely to radical, wacky, and founded on hate to be successfully turned into a business.
     -- warren, olathe     
  • 1
    		•  
    There is one great cause, that seeks not profit among men. It is extremely unorthodox. "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." 
    Prov 13:07 kjb it never declines to corruption but stays the course from generation to generation. 
     -- Ronw13, Oregon     
    		•  
    I agree with Warren, E archer has it.
     -- jim k, Austin     
    		•  
    Nevertheless, I'm still glad I went to Catholic School.  It ensured my atheism and my drive for my humanity.  Socialism is the challenge of social abilities to create.
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
  • 1
    		•  
     
    Rate this quote!
    How many stars?
    0
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
     
    What do YOU think?
    Your name:
    		 Your town:
        CLICK JUST ONCE!

    Today's Quotes
    More Quotations
    Most Popular
    Recent Comments
    Get a Quote-A-Day! Free!
    Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box.
    RSS Subscribe
    Quotes & Quotations - Send This Quote to a Friend

    © 1998-2026 Liberty-Tree.ca