“The elites are finally catching up with us. We can hear the swish of leather as saddles are heaved on our backs. The intellectuals and the young, booted and spurred, feel themselves born to ride us.”

—  Eric Hoffer

Source: First Things, Last Things (1971), p. 65

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "The elites are finally catching up with us. We can hear the swish of leather as saddles are heaved on our backs. The in…" by Eric Hoffer?
Eric Hoffer photo
Eric Hoffer 240
American philosopher 1898–1983

Related quotes

George Fitzhugh photo
Thomas Jefferson photo

“All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God.”

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) 3rd President of the United States of America

Letter to Roger C. Weightman http://www.rjgeib.com/thoughts/jefferson/jefferson.html, declining to attend July 4th ceremonies in Washington D.C. celebrating the 50th anniversary of Independence, because of his health. This was Jefferson's last letter http://www.rjgeib.com/thoughts/jefferson/jefferson.html. (24 June 1826)
1820s
Context: All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. These are grounds of hope for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.

Otto von Bismarck photo

“Let us lift Germany, so to speak, into the saddle. Surely when that is achieved, it will succeed at riding as well.”

Otto von Bismarck (1815–1898) German statesman, Chancellor of Germany

Setzen wir Deutschland, so zu sagen, in den Sattel! Reiten wird es schon können.
Speech to Parliament of Confederation (1867)
1860s

Isaac Asimov photo

“We can all be members of the intellectual elite”

Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, known for his works of science fiction …

"A Cult of Ignorance", Newsweek (21 January 1980)
General sources
Context: I believe that every human being with a physically normal brain can learn a great deal and can be surprisingly intellectual. I believe that what we badly need is social approval of learning and social rewards for learning.
We can all be members of the intellectual elite and then, and only then, will a phrase like "America's right to know" and, indeed, any true concept of democracy, have any meaning.

Morgan Tsvangirai photo

“From the day I was born, there has always existed a huge disconnect between the stories often told by the elite and those I hear from ordinary people about our country although we live in the places; and witness the same events around us.”

Morgan Tsvangirai (1952–2018) former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe

Remarks at the launch of his book – At the Deep End http://www.zimeye.org/?p=41996&cpage=1

Ralph Waldo Emerson photo

“Things are in the saddle,
And ride mankind.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American philosopher, essayist, and poet

Ode, inscribed to W. H. Channing
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)

Neal Stephenson photo
Harry V. Jaffa photo

Related topics