Cities Quote by Eric Hoffer
“Even the sober desire for progress is sustained by faith—faith in the intrinsic goodness of human nature and in the omnipotence of science. It is a defiant and blasphemous faith, not unlike that held by the men who set out to build a "city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven" and who believed that "nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The True Believer, 1951
Faith in humanity and science drives progress, even when it seems defiant or blasphemous.
In simple terms: Faith in people and science fuels progress.
Key Takeaway
Believe in human potential and scientific power.
Themes
progress
faith
humanism
science
defiance
Mood
hopeful
determined
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- social reform
- technological innovation
- education reform
- policy making
- community building
Key Concepts
optimism
human nature
scientific determinism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does faith in science shape your actions?
- What limits exist when faith overrides evidence?
A Different Perspective
Faith alone cannot guarantee ethical outcomes without critical oversight.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
