Affair Quote by Eric Hoffer
“The Americans are poor haters in international affairs because of their innate feeling of superiority over all foreigners. An American's hatred for a fellow American.is far more virulent than any antipathy he can work up against foreigners.Should Americans begin to hate foreigners wholeheartedly, it will be an indication that they have lost confidence in their own way of life.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The True Believer, 1951
The quote suggests that Americans tend to direct hostility inward rather than outward, and that intense hatred toward foreigners signals a loss of confidence in their own culture.
In simple terms: Americans hate each other more than foreigners; hating foreigners shows cultural insecurity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address internal divisions before external hostility.
Themes
identity
nationalism
insecurity
social cohesion
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- workplace conflicts
- community building
- immigration debates
Key Concepts
psychology
group dynamics
cultural confidence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does internal conflict affect a nation's foreign policy?
- What can reduce intra‑national hostility?
A Different Perspective
The claim may overgeneralize and ignore diverse individual attitudes.
