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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

  • religious debates
  • political arguments
  • daily interactions

Putting it to work

  • practice tolerance
  • avoid absolutes
  • listen more

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

  1. 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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  2. Mass movements can rise and spread without belief in a God, but never without belief in a devil.

    Permalink to quote #24
  3. 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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