The Passionate State of Mind

By Eric Hoffer

Subjects: Human Nature, Religion, Aphorisms and apothegms, Quotations, Psychology, Zealotry

Description: A series of Hoffer's epigrams and observations. The book proffers his take on why we do what we do, the consequences thereof and man's behavior, that we refer to simply as human nature. For example, and I'll paraphrase, but this is close: in a given situation, we will always use what frightens us to frighten others. Also, much of this work addresses Hoffer's opinions of and his psychological analysis of "True Believers," the religious zealots who are so steeped in their beliefs that they seem to forego real life. The book is aptly titled.