Eric Hoffer

Date of Birth: July 25, 1902

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: May 21, 1983

Biography

Eric Hoffer was an American moral and social philosopher born on July 25, 1902, in The Bronx, New York City. He is best known for his book “The True Believer,” published in 1951, which explores the nature of mass movements and the psychology of their followers. Despite being largely self-educated, Hoffer’s insights into human nature and social dynamics have earned him widespread acclaim. Hoffer’s early life was marked by significant hardship. He lost his eyesight at the age of seven, only to miraculously regain it at 15. This period of blindness limited his formal education but instilled in him a voracious appetite for reading. He later worked as a migrant laborer and longshoreman, which deeply influenced his philosophical outlook. His career as a writer began relatively late in life. His first book, “The True Believer,” brought him immediate fame and established his reputation as a profound thinker. He continued to write several other books, including “The Ordeal of Change” and “The Passionate State of Mind,” that further explored themes of social psychology and individualism. Eric Hoffer passed away on May 21, 1983, in San Francisco, California. Despite his fame, he remained a humble and private individual, often shying away from the public eye.

5 Interesting Facts about Eric Hoffer

1. Eric Hoffer was completely self-taught, having had no formal education after the age of seven.

2. He worked as a longshoreman for many years and often wrote his philosophical works during his free time.

3. Hoffer won the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1983, the highest civilian award in the United States.

4. He was an early and vocal critic of totalitarian regimes, and his work has been cited in discussions about the psychology of fascism and communism.

5. Despite his fame, Hoffer lived a relatively modest life and never sought the limelight.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Eric Hoffer

1. “The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.”

2. “It is easier to love humanity as a whole than to love one’s neighbor.”

3. “A movement is pioneered by men of words, materialized by fanatics, and consolidated by men of action.”

4. “People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them.”

5. “The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a God or not.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Eric Hoffer’s highest net worth was modest compared to many other public intellectuals, as he lived a relatively simple life. His exact net worth is not well-documented, but it is estimated to have been in the range of $1-2 million at the time of his death.