One might equate growing up with a mistrust of words. A mature person trusts his eyes more than his ears. Irrationality often manifests itself in upholding the word against the evidence of the eyes. Children, savages and true believers remember far less what they have seen than what they have heard.
Interpretation
Growing up often leads to skepticism about words, favoring personal observation over hearsay.
In this quote, Eric Hoffer reflects on the maturity that comes with age, suggesting that as people grow older, they tend to trust what they see over what they are told. This skepticism about words signifies a deeper understanding of reality, where individuals learn that not all verbal communication aligns with truth, and that firsthand experience holds more value than secondhand information, particularly in stark contrast to the naïveté of children and the uncritical acceptance often seen in 'true believers'.
In practice
During a discussion on adulthood and maturity, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of personal experience over reliance on words.
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.
We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they.
For some are in the habit of carrying about the name in wicked guile, while they still practice things unworthy of God. You must flee these as you would wild beasts. For they are ravening dogs, who bite secretly, against whom you must be on your guard, since they are men who can scarcely be cured.
It is the unknown that excites the ardor of scholars, who, in the known alone, would shrivel up with boredom.
Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death.
To know is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge.
Songwriters might write cynical, world-wise lyrics and constantly talk about money, but most of us are downright naive when it comes to business.
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