--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a powerful craving in most of us…" description: "\"There is a powerful craving in most of us to see ourselves as instruments in the hands of others and thus free ourselves from the responsibility for ac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/eric-hoffer-343_atheism_there-is-a-powerful-craving-in-most-of-u_1326899.jpg" --- # There is a powerful craving in most of us to see ourselves… ![“There is a powerful craving in most of us to see ourselves as instruments in the hands of others and thus free ourselves from the responsibility for acts which are prompted by our own questionable inclinations and impulses.” quote by Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/eric-hoffer-343_atheism_there-is-a-powerful-craving-in-most-of-u_1326899.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/eric-hoffer-343_atheism_there-is-a-powerful-craving-in-most-of-u_1326899.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/eric-hoffer-343_atheism_there-is-a-powerful-craving-in-most-of-u_1326899.jpg) > “There is a powerful craving in most of us to see ourselves as instruments in the hands of others and thus free ourselves from the responsibility for acts which are prompted by our own questionable inclinations and impulses.” [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 often escape personal responsibility by seeing themselves as tools of others, allowing them to avoid confronting their own motives and impulses. **In simple terms:** Avoiding responsibility by blaming others. Key Takeaway Cultivate personal accountability and self‑awareness. Themes responsibility self‑deception agency psychology social influence Mood critical insightful philosophical Type ethical psychological motivational When to use this quote - self‑assessment - coaching - ethical training - group discussions Key Concepts free will moral agency psychological projection Questions to Reflect On - Why do we sometimes prefer being used over taking charge? - How can we recognize and own our impulses? A Different Perspective Externalizing blame can hinder growth and lead to manipulation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Malevolence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/malevolence/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [True believer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-believer/) ## Related quotes > [There is a powerful craving in most of us to see ourselves as instruments in the hands of others and thus free ourselves from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/there-is-a-powerful-craving-in-most-of-us-to-see-ourselves-as-2/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [“I'm not a machine, Evening. I'm a man. And you made me to be free. You did that, right?" "Yes. Yes." 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