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About this quote

What does it mean?
Extreme attitudes often indicate a desire to escape the discomfort of the self.
In plain terms
Extreme views are a way to avoid dealing with who you are.
What can you take from it?
Going to extremes is a flight from facing the self.

Where it applies

  • political polarization
  • religious fundamentalism
  • social movements

Putting it to work

  • check motives
  • embrace nuance
  • confront self

Questions to consider

  • Are you avoiding yourself?
  • Why do you hold this view?

Another view

Some extreme attitudes stem from conviction rather than avoidance.

More from Eric Hoffer

  1. To believe that if we could have but this or that we would be happy is to suppress the realization that the cause of our unhappiness is in our inadequate and b…

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  2. A fateful process is set in motion when the individual is released 'to the freedom of his own impotence' and left to justify his existence by his own efforts. …

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  3. It is doubtful if the oppressed ever fight for freedom. They fight for pride and power - power to oppress others. The oppressed want above all to imitate their…

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