In the alchemy of man's soul almost all noble attributes- courage, honor, love, hope, faith, duty, loyalty, and so on - can be transmuted into ruthlessness. Compassion alone stands apart from the continuous traffic between good and evil proceeding within us. Compassion is the antitoxin of the soul: where there is compassion, even the most poisonous impulses remain relatively harmless.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes that while many noble qualities can be corrupted, compassion remains a pure force that protects against negativity.
In this quote, Eric Hoffer discusses the transformation of noble traits such as courage and love into ruthlessness, highlighting the struggle between good and evil that exists within humanity. He asserts that compassion is unique, serving as an essential remedy that neutralizes harmful impulses, suggesting that it is through compassion that we can truly safeguard our souls from darkness.
In practice
A motivational speaker could use this quote to highlight the importance of compassion in leadership.
Language was invented to ask questions. Answers may be given by grunts and gestures, but questions must be spoken. Humanness came of age when man asked the first question. Social stagnation results not from a lack of answers but from the absence of the impulse to ask questions.
Faith in humanity, in posterity, in the destiny of one's religion, nation, race, party or family-what is it but the visualization of that eternal something to which we attach the self that is about to be annihilated?
You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you.
Our frustration is greater when we have much and want more than when we have nothing and want some. We are less dissatisfied when we lack many things than when we seem to lack but one thing.
Our credulity is greatest concerning the things we know least about.
Perhaps a modern society can remain stable only by eliminating adolescence, by giving its young, from the age of ten, the skills, responsibilities, and rewards of grownups, and opportunities for action in all spheres of life. Adolescence should be a time of useful action, while book learning and scholarship should be a preoccupation of adults.
Truth would quickly cease to be stranger than fiction, once we got as used to it.
Its language is a language which the soul alone understands, but which the soul can never translate.
An election is a moral horror, as bad as a battle except for the blood; a mud bath for every soul concerned in it.
I could introduce myself properly, but it's not really necessary. You will know me well enough and soon enough, depending on a diverse range of variables. It suffices to say that at some point in time, I will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away.
Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains. Those who think themselves the masters of others are indeed greater slaves than they.
Where eldest Night And Chaos, ancestors of Nature, hold Eternal anarchy amidst the noise Of endless wars, and by confusion stand; For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four champions fierce, Strive here for mast'ry.
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