Strong Desire

 

On Page 16 of his book, The Passionate State of Mind, Eric Hoffer writes one entry which I shall quote and comment on below.

 

Hoffer: “            20

 

Intense desire can become a habit, a fashion or a tradition. It is apparently unconnected with self-satisfaction. Nevertheless, it still retains the structure of its original derivation, and many of the attitudes that are induced by stirring up discontent may also be induced by stimulating sheer desire. The proclivity for change, the receptivity to faith, and the readiness for self-sacrifice are strong both in those who are at war with things as they are, and those who merely desire ‘more.’ The fact is that those with the habit of intense desire are only tenuously attached to their lives and possessions. They are, whether they know it or not, the antithesis of the conservative.”

 

My response: This quote requires more unpacking. If intense desire is unconnected either with self-satisfaction or self-dissatisfaction but can originate either in internal discontent or a powerful urge to have more or something different, that intense desire is a dual-edged sword.

 

If the person packed with intense desire is a maverizer, then she will be a creative force for good in the world and should be encouraged.

 

 If the person fielding fierce, intense desire is at war with himself and the world, and radically lusts after destruction of the world and all that live, then his intense desire is a wicked impulse. He needs to be obviated, if possible, by legal violence if need be.

 

 If one intensely desires to build, all right; if one intensely desires to destroy the world, that idealist is of deep, deep malevolent intent and potential.