--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For men to plunge headlong into an…" description: "\"For men to plunge headlong into an undertaking of vast change, they must be intensely discontented yet not destitute, and they must have the feeling th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/eric-hoffer-343_access_for-men-to-plunge-headlong-into-an-under_3045794.jpg" --- # For men to plunge headlong into an undertaking of vast… ![“For men to plunge headlong into an undertaking of vast change, they must be intensely discontented yet not destitute, and they must have the feeling that by the possession of some potent doctrine, infallible leader or some new technique they have access to a source of irresistible power.” quote by Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/eric-hoffer-343_access_for-men-to-plunge-headlong-into-an-under_3045794.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/eric-hoffer-343_access_for-men-to-plunge-headlong-into-an-under_3045794.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/eric-hoffer-343_access_for-men-to-plunge-headlong-into-an-under_3045794.jpg) > “For men to plunge headlong into an undertaking of vast change, they must be intensely discontented yet not destitute, and they must have the feeling that by the possession of some potent doctrine, infallible leader or some new technique they have access to a source of irresistible power.” [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People seek radical change when discontent meets a compelling doctrine or charismatic leader. **In simple terms:** Discontent plus a powerful idea drives revolutionary action. Key Takeaway Channel discontent into constructive change. Themes revolution leadership discontent Mood critical inquisitive Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - activism - political campaigns - personal growth Key Concepts psychology political theory social movements Questions to Reflect On - What drives you to seek change? - How to evaluate a leader's doctrine? A Different Perspective May overlook the danger of blind obedience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Access](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/access/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Doctrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrine/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technique/) ## Related quotes > [“For men to plunge headlong into an undertaking of vast change, they must be intensely discontented yet not destitute, and they must have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/for-men-to-plunge-headlong-into-an-undertaking-of-vast-change-they/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [“But I am so voluntarily, and therefore I am not destitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/but-i-am-so-voluntarily-and-therefore-i-am-not-destitute/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [When the Gauls laid waste Rome, they found the senators clothed in their robes, and seated in stern tranquillity in their curule chairs; in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/when-the-gauls-laid-waste-rome-they-found-the-senators-clothed-in/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [The best place any Christian can ever be in is to be totally destitute and totally dependant upon God, and know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-redpath/the-best-place-any-christian-can-ever-be-in-is-to-be-totally/) [Alan Redpath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-redpath/) > [Every concerned citizen and policy maker should read this book. 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