Eric Hoffer Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"Where freedom is real, equality is the passion of the masses. Where equality is real, freedom is the passion of a small minority."

by:	Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American author, philosopher, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
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Categories:	Equality, Freedom, Liberty, Proverbs
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Reader comments about this quote:

And the small minority are persecuted as "nuts" by the indoctrinated majority. Sad. -- J Carlton, Calgary
Where freedom is real, equality exists in the masses while the masses passionately distort the meaning of freedom and liberty to apply compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, larceny, etc. -- Mike, Norwalk
That would be so - without freedom equality cannot exist. -- RobertSRQ
This is very insightful. Goes beyond politics. Where freedom and equaltity and economic abundance exists life can be easy and pleasant for everyone, the masses. Think of a Tahiti for example or a populated Garden of Eden. But something sometimes enters into human nature (some may call it sin) to want to be "better" or controlling or to have more than others. An elitism to be free and different than everyone else just for the sake of being different and to perceive self as greater or better than others. It is a delusion to think that you are not part of the masses. I would dare say that everyone of us think that, thus maybe we are all deluded. If that is true then every member of the mass of people think they are not a member of the mass of people. It is kind of stupid to think that way is it not? This method of thinking is the same old "We versus They" mentality. I got news for you We are They. -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas 1
There is no equality except that we all possess inalienable rights which are to be respected equally. We are inherently different, with different ages and capacities, with different views and knowledge, with different ideas and customs. When we confuse Power with Freedom, we get into all kinds of trouble. Our equal rights do not guarantee us equal power, and that is the way of life. -- E Archer, NYC
It looks like Guns are really gaining popularity with right-wing fanatics per report today "Onward Christian Soldiers: Increased Gun Violence Against Liberals and Progressives Signaling Desperation on the Right?" We cannot have either freedom or equality while we allow these morons on the loose - it will soon be self evident that America needs to split into two or three or four nations - then we can just go to war without leaving our shores. Archer, equal rights should guarantee us the right to our own happiness, the right to make a living, the right to make our own decisions - power, I agree, confuses those rights. Gay marriage is an example - Gays do not have equal rights - if Gays were in power of cause they would have equal rights, but on the other hand, they may refuse those right to heterosexuals. -- RobertSRQ 1
What increased gun violence against liberals and progressives are you talking about, Robert. Is this some propaganda by the Brady Bunch? Gun control nuts never learn. In Australia, citizens were required to turn in over 600,000 hand guns and armed robbery is up by 44%. All other crimes are up, including murder. It never sinks in to Libs. -- jim k, austin
There was a recent news report of a man in Kentucky who shot up a Unitarian Church because he said he hates liberals. -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas
The first line of the quote works for me. The second line does not. I think that the only way people would be made all equal would be to remove the freedom to soar. -- warren, olathe
-- Anonymous
The error of some is that they equate equality with freedom. It is not and that is why you see so many groups flailing after some "right" that will make them "equal". Gay marriage for example. E Archer above got it right. -- David D, Indio CA

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