--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The words of the social critic Eric…" description: "\"The words of the social critic Eric Hoffer were ringing true: \"Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and turns into a racket.\"\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67d/christopher-mcdougall-2557_business_the-words-of-the-social-critic-eric-hoff_3174089.png" --- # The words of the social critic Eric Hoffer were ringing… ![“The words of the social critic Eric Hoffer were ringing true: "Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and turns into a racket."” quote by Christopher McDougall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67d/christopher-mcdougall-2557_business_the-words-of-the-social-critic-eric-hoff_3174089.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67d/christopher-mcdougall-2557_business_the-words-of-the-social-critic-eric-hoff_3174089.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67d/christopher-mcdougall-2557_business_the-words-of-the-social-critic-eric-hoff_3174089.png) > “The words of the social critic Eric Hoffer were ringing true: "Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and turns into a racket."” [Christopher McDougall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-mcdougall/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Great causes often start idealistically, then become commercialized and corrupt, turning into profit‑driven rackets. **In simple terms:** Ideal movements can become profit‑driven and corrupt. Key Takeaway Guard against profit motives corrupting purpose. Themes idealism commercialization corruption Mood cautious inspirational critical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - non‑profit management - activist movements - startup culture - political campaigns Key Concepts ethical leadership social entrepreneurship mission drift Questions to Reflect On - How can you maintain integrity as a cause grows? - What safeguards prevent mission drift? A Different Perspective Profit focus can dilute original mission. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Business Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-turns-1623005/) [Cause Begins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cause-begins-1623002/) [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Critics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critics/) [Eric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eric/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eric-hoffer/) [Great Cause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-cause-269726/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [Movement Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement-business-1623003/) [Racket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racket/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social Critic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-critic-3544309/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) ## Related quotes > [“Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and turns into a racket.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/every-great-cause-begins-as-a-movement-becomes-a-business-and-turns/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/every-great-cause-begins-as-a-movement-becomes-a-business-and/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Great business turns on a little pin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/great-business-turns-on-a-little-pin/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [The responsibility of the writer is to be a sort of demonic social critic -- to present the world and people in it as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/the-responsibility-of-the-writer-is-to-be-a-sort-of-demonic-social/) [Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/) > [“In the later part of his creative life Nietzsche suffered acutely from loneliness. 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