Ruthless

 

On Page 83 of his book, The Passionate State of Mind, Eric Hoffer wrote two entries which I quote and then comment on.

 

Hoffer:  ‘          146

 

Those who would sacrifice a generation to realize an ideal are the enemies of mankind.”

 

My response: This is so for several reasons. First, each person is granted free will by God, so this reminds all other people that that person is given the gift of choice by God to decide to build a life for herself, or not, or to what degree, and none should interfere with her personal destiny.

 

It is a grave sin to capture or cast a spell on an entire generation, so they will cooperate with their guru, government, nation, or cause, to sacrifice themselves for a mere often meretricious ideal.

 

Also, we do not love people unless we let them go to run their own affairs. We are not to bind others to ourselves—so doing holds them back and down, and us too.

 

 

Hoffer: “          147

 

The only index by which to judge a government or a way of life is by the quality of people it acts upon. No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life, and breeds ill will and suspicion—it is an evil government.”

 

My response: I agree. I wonder if all elites running governments, hierarchies and institutions do not always turn on the people they are meant to serve.