It is not actual suffering but a taste of better things which excites people to revolt.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Revolt happens when people experience a glimpse of a better life, not just from suffering. Hope, not just pain, drives change.
- In plain terms
- People rise up not because they suffer, but because they see things could be better.
- What can you take from it?
- Hope is a stronger driver of change than suffering alone.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What better things have you tasted?
- When do you feel like revolting?
Another view
Severe suffering does often drive revolt even without hope.
More from Eric Hoffer
It is loneliness that makes the loudest noise. This is true of men as of dogs.
Permalink to quote #173 It is not at all simple to understand the simple.
Permalink to quote #175 It is a perplexing and unpleasant truth that when men already have 'something worth fighting for,' they do not feel like fighting.
Permalink to quote #172
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