Absorbing Quote by Eric Hoffer
“The well adjusted make poor prophets. A pleasant existence blinds us to the possibilities of drastic change. We cling to what we call our common sense, our practical point of view. Actually, these are names for an all-absorbing familiarity with things as they are. . . . Thus it happens that when the times become unhinged, it is the practical people who are caught unaware . . . still clinging to things that no longer exist.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The True Believer, Eric Hoffer, 1951
Comfortable, pragmatic people often miss signs of radical change, making them vulnerable when upheaval occurs.
In simple terms: Pragmatism can blind us to big shifts.
Key Takeaway
Stay alert to emerging trends.
Themes
change
pragmatism
comfort
prophecy
awareness
Mood
cautious
analytical
serious
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- political analysis
- personal growth
- risk management
- community leadership
Key Concepts
social dynamics
psychology of belief
historical cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- What signs of change are you overlooking?
- How can you balance comfort with vigilance?
A Different Perspective
Practicality may ignore subtle early warnings.
![“It's hard to pick. I mean, I think the one that is most emblematic of the collaboration that occurred is "We Know The Way." That's the first song we wrote for the movie [Moana]. We actually got it written that weekend in New Zealand, so we're all in New Zealand, we're all absorbing this culture…” quote by Lin-Manuel Miranda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2ae/lin-manuel-miranda-2352_absorbing_it-s-hard-to-pick-i-mean-i-think-the-one_119053.jpg)
![“I know "accessibility" is a term that's kind of thrown around wantonly today, especially with talking about visual media. But I think that the strength of comics [is how they] really allow you to transcend those last barriers between a reader absorbing the information of an experience, and a…” quote by Nate Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d87/nate-powell-42191_able_i-know-accessibility-is-a-term-that-s-ki_173002.jpg)
