The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Indifference is gentler than fanaticism in either direction.
- In plain terms
- A calm skeptic is better than a loud believer or disbeliever.
- What can you take from it?
- Moderation reduces conflict.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are you too certain about your views?
- Can indifference be virtuous?
Another view
It may undervalue strong convictions that drive positive change.
More from Eric Hoffer
The urge to escape our real self is also an urge to escape the rational and the obvious. The refusal to see ourselves as we are develops a distaste for facts a…
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Permalink to quote #24 We can be absolutely certain only about things we do not understand. A doctrine that is understood is shorn of its strength.
Permalink to quote #21
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