Grave Deception

 

On Page 47 of his book, The Passionate State of Mind, Eric Hoffer has three entries which I quote and then comment on.

 

Hoffer (H after this): “   71

 

There are many who have grave scruples about deceiving others but think it is as nothing to deceive themselves. Still, it is doubtful whether the self-deceivers can ever really tell the truth.”

 

My response: The purest, most deadly, most malevolent, most consequential lies told are not told by the agent to others but are the lies that he tells himself and about himself to himself. If an evil man was to tell himself the complete truth about his wicked character and actions, it is likely he could not continue to be wicked. Therefore, it follows that his skill at self-deception is what keeps him able to enjoy his groupist sense of personal worth, while doing foul deeds repeatedly.

 

His entire way of life is but a bundle of interlocking lies of self-deception, and, secondarily, a social exchange of mutual lies and deception.

 

H: “        72

 

To the self-despisers, reality is soiled and threadbare. They cannot base their opinions of the evidence of their senses. They are reluctant to distill their judgment of a country, a government or humanity in general from the raw material of their daily experience.”

 

My response: Self-despisers cut themselves off from reality because it is too painful to know the truth about themselves. They already live in a fantasy world, so that is where they stay.

 

H: “        73

 

The war on the present is usually a war on facts. Facts are those toys of men who live and die at leisure. They who are engrossed in the rapid realization of an extravagant hope tend to view facts as something base and unclean. Facts are counterrevolutionary.”

 

My response: Facts are counterrevolutionary: the last thing that true believers will tolerate is allowing truth or facts to derail their denial of the present pleasure and enjoyment, sacrifice for future victory of the holy cause.