Selflessness

 

Eric Hoffer, on Page 81 of his book, The Passionate State of Mind, has two entries which I quote and then comment on.

 

Hoffer: “          142

 

The taint hidden in selflessness is that selflessness is the only moral justification of ruthlessness.”

 

My response: This taint is the rot that smells up stench-ridden altruist-collectivist ethics: Hoffer is brilliant and original in identifying selflessness as the only moral justification of ruthlessness.

The true-believer regards himself as a noble hero, sacrificing his life, if necessary, for the spread of his mass movement and holy cause. He is convinced that he is morally pure and noble, even while committing murder and mayhem. The ability of the selfless wicked to justify their immorality without flinching or blushing makes it near impossible to appeal to their guilty consciences to nudge them to cease acting wickedly and to repent.

 

 

Hoffer: “          143

 

Original sin? It is probably the malice that is flickering within us. Seen thus, it is a grievous error for those who manage human affairs not to take original sin into account.”

 

My response: Amen. If the individuator accepts that he is a sinner and must work very hard to be good and to be loving, holy and virtuous, while self-perfecting, then he can canalize his malice and primitive urges into creative, positive avenues. If each person so manages his own affairs, it would revolutionize all of society and political and economic structures and relationships.