Common Quote by Eric Hoffer
“What Pascal said of an effective religion is true of any effective doctrine: it must be "contrary to nature, to common sense and to pleasure.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The True Believer by Eric Hoffer, 1951
Effective doctrines contradict natural instincts, common sense, and pleasure, yet they succeed by appealing to deeper drives.
In simple terms: Contrary ideas can be powerful.
Key Takeaway
Question why you accept ideas that feel uncomfortable.
Themes
belief
contradiction
motivation
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious movements
- political ideologies
- marketing campaigns
Key Concepts
psychology
sociology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs feel counterintuitive to you?
- How do you reconcile discomfort with commitment?
A Different Perspective
Such doctrines may cause personal conflict or harm.
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
