Buddhism Quote by Stephen R.C. Hicks
““In our time, the world created by the Enlightenment is strong, active, and exuberant. For a while in the past century, socialists could believe the revolution was coming, that woe would come to them that are rich, and that blessed would be the poor. But that hope has been dashed cruelly. Capitalism now seems like a case of “twice two makes four,” and like Dostoevsky’s Underground Man it is easy to see that the most intelligent socialists would just hate that fact. Socialism is the historical loser, and if socialists know that, they will hate that fact, they will hate the winners for having won, and they will hate themselves for having picked the losing side. Hate as a chronic condition leads to the urge to destroy.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Age of Entitlement by Stephen R.C. Hicks, 2019
The quote argues that capitalism's apparent logical certainty frustrates intelligent socialists, leading them to chronic hatred and a destructive impulse.
In simple terms: Capitalism's certainty fuels socialist resentment and destructive hatred.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address resentment before it becomes destructive.
Themes
politics
ideology
psychology
conflict
history
Mood
frustrated
critical
reflective
Type
analysis
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debates
- activist meetings
- academic discussions
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
social identity
resentment
destructive behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How does certainty in any system breed resentment?
- Can hatred be transformed into constructive action?
A Different Perspective
The analysis may overgeneralize socialist sentiment and ignore diverse perspectives.
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