---
title: "5 Imitation Quotes By Eric Hoffer"
description: "5 Imitation quotes by Eric Hoffer. Plus more from Eric Hoffer and more Imitation sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c8/eric-hoffer-343_free_when-people-are-free-to-do-as-they-pleas_389228.jpg"
---

> [When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-people-are-free-to-do-as-they-please-they-usually-imitate-each/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c8/eric-hoffer-343_free_when-people-are-free-to-do-as-they-pleas_389228.jpg)

> [Rudeness is a weak imitation of strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/rudeness-is-a-weak-imitation-of-strength/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d26/eric-hoffer-343_imitation_rudeness-is-a-weak-imitation-of-strength_950903.jpg)

> [The sense of inferiority inherent in the act of imitation breeds resentment. The impulse of the imitators is to overcome the model…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-sense-of-inferiority-inherent-in-the-act-of-imitation-breeds/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41e/eric-hoffer-343_imitation_the-sense-of-inferiority-inherent-in-the_1080060.jpg)

> [The chief burden of the frustrated is the consciousness of a blemished, ineffectual self, and their chief desire is to slough off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-chief-burden-of-the-frustrated-is-the-consciousness-of-a/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/eric-hoffer-343_burden_the-chief-burden-of-the-frustrated-is-th_1081654.jpg)

> [Imitation is often a shortcut to a solution. We copy when we lack the inclination, the ability or the time to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/imitation-is-often-a-shortcut-to-a-solution-we-copy-when-we-lack-the/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/388/eric-hoffer-343_ability_imitation-is-often-a-shortcut-to-a-solut_1679067.jpg)

## Other authors on Imitation

## More by Eric Hoffer

> [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [When grubbing for necessities man is still an animal. He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [“We lie the loudest when we lie to ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/we-lie-the-loudest-when-we-lie-to-ourselves/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [Our originality shows itself most strikingly not in what we wholly originate but in what we do with that which we borrow from others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/our-originality-shows-itself-most-strikingly-not-in-what-we-wholly/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [The creative mind is the playful mind. Philosophy is the play and dance of ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-creative-mind-is-the-playful-mind-philosophy-is-the-play-and/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [It is also plausible that those movements with the greatest inner contradiction and between profession and practice - that is to say with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/it-is-also-plausible-that-those-movements-with-the-greatest-inner/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [The best part of the art of living is to know how to grow old gracefully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-best-part-of-the-art-of-living-is-to-know-how-to-grow-old/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [“In the alchemy of man's soul almost all noble attributes--courage, honor, love, hope, faith, duty, loyalty, etc.--can be transmuted into ruthlessness. Compassion alone stands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/in-the-alchemy-of-man-s-soul-almost-all-noble-attributes-courage/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [The act of self-denial seems to confer on us the right to be harsh and merciless toward others. The impression somehow prevails that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-act-of-self-denial-seems-to-confer-on-us-the-right-to-be-harsh/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [A nation without dregs and malcontents, is orderly, decent, peaceful and pleasant, but perhaps without the seed of things to come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/a-nation-without-dregs-and-malcontents-is-orderly-decent-peaceful-and/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [Compassion alone stands apart from the continuous traffic between good and evil proceeding within us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/compassion-alone-stands-apart-from-the-continuous-traffic-between/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [There are many who find a good alibi far more attractive than an achievement. For an achievement does not settle anything permanently. We still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/there-are-many-who-find-a-good-alibi-far-more-attractive-than-an/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [A war is not won if the defeated enemy has not been turned into a friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/a-war-is-not-won-if-the-defeated-enemy-has-not-been-turned-into-a/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [Man is the only creature that strives to surpass himself, and yearns for the impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/man-is-the-only-creature-that-strives-to-surpass-himself-and-yearns/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [This food-and-shelter theory concerning man's efforts is without insight. The desire for praise is more imperative than the desire for food and shelter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/this-food-and-shelter-theory-concerning-man-s-efforts-is-without/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

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