Quote by Eric Hoffer

Our credulity is greatest concerning the things we know least about. And since we know least about ourselves, we are ready to believe all that is said about us. Hence the mysterious power of both flattery and calumny.

Our credulity is greatest concerning the things we know leas

Summary

This quote suggests that people are most likely to believe information about things they are unfamiliar with. Since individuals often have limited knowledge about themselves, they tend to believe whatever is said about them, whether that be praise or criticism. This is why both compliments (flattery) and false accusations (calumny) hold a strong influence over individuals, as they are quick to accept and internalize these external perceptions. The quote highlights the vulnerability of our self-perception and the significant impact of others' opinions on our beliefs about ourselves.

Topics

Belief

By Eric Hoffer

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Hitler and Mussolini were only the primary spokesmen for the

Hitler and Mussolini were only the primary spokesmen for the attitude of domination and craving for power that are in the heart of almost everyone. Until the source is cleared, there will always be confusion and hate, wars and class antagonisms.

Jiddu Krishnamurti

Attitude

Truth without love, isn't.

Truth without love, isn't.

Truth Love Religion Faith Inspirational

The Science of Government it is my Duty to study, more than

The Science of Government it is my Duty to study, more than all other Sciences: the Art of Legislation and Administration and Negotiation, ought to take Place, indeed to exclude in a manner all other Arts. I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine.

Men must turn square corners when they deal with the Governm

Men must turn square corners when they deal with the Government.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Government

Sometimes you can see things happen right in front of your e

Sometimes you can see things happen right in front of your eyes and still jump to the wrong conclusions.

God Religion Inspirational

A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the p

A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on a cold iron.

I've been quite fascinated by the relative insignificance of

I've been quite fascinated by the relative insignificance of human existence, the shortness of life. We might as well be a letter in a word in a sentence on a page in a book in a library in a city in one country in this enormous universe! And that kind of fear and insignificance has kept me awake at night.

Fear

Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend sticks cl

Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. Proverbs 18:24

Friends

The real purpose of running isn't to win a race, it's to tes

The real purpose of running isn't to win a race, it's to test the limits of the human heart.

Running

When I was seventeen, I worked as a counsellor at a co-ed sl

When I was seventeen, I worked as a counsellor at a co-ed sleep-away camp for eight weeks. I loved it but it could be harrowing - it was far too much responsibility for someone my age.

Age

...he was conscious of the disastrous fact that love and des

...he was conscious of the disastrous fact that love and desire must be expressed in the same way...

Love Desire

A fool and his money are soon parted.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Money