On Page 80 of his book, The Passionate State of Mind, Eric Hoffer writes two entries which I quote and then comment on.
Hoffer: “ 140
It is compassion rather than the principle of justice which can guard us against being unjust to our fellow men.”
My response: One benevolent theories and ideals may get in the way of being compassionate and just—just lose the cant, sententiousness and virtual signaling, and treat people well.
Hoffer: “ 141
Good judgment in our dealings with others consists not in seeing through deceptions and evil intentions but in being able to waken the decency dormant in every person.”
My response: Hoffer like I, does not believe much in natural human goodness, for good judgment consists in being able to waken the decency dormant in every person, a decency that requires awakening, whereas human malevolence is front and center, being freely expressed and indulged, when it should not be.
If one is cynical and regards oneself and others as naturally, invariably vicious, and treacherous, though that is so, then people live down to the low standard. If one expects better things from oneself, and demonstrates good will, fair play, courtesy, and reciprocity in one’s relations with others, that might well trigger or strengthen their social, decent instincts in return.
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