“Practically all writers and artists are aware of their destiny and see themselves as actors in a fateful drama. With me, nothing is momentous: obscure youth, glorious old age, fateful coincidences — nothing really matters. I have written a number of good sentences. I have kept free of delusions. I know I am going to die soon.”

— Eric Hoffer

Entry (1977)
Eric Hoffer and the Art of the Notebook (2005)

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Eric Hoffer 240

American philosopher 1898–1983

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“I have written a number of good sentences. I have kept free of delusions. I know I am going to die soon.”

Eric Hoffer (1898–1983) American philosopher

Entry (1977)
Eric Hoffer and the Art of the Notebook (2005)
Context: Disraeli felt that "nothing could compensate his obscure youth, not even a glorious old age." Practically all writers and artists are aware of their destiny and see themselves as actors in a fateful drama. With me, nothing is momentous: obscure youth, glorious old age, fateful coincidences — nothing really matters. I have written a number of good sentences. I have kept free of delusions. I know I am going to die soon.

“As things stand now, I am going to be a writer. I'm not sure that I'm going to be a good one or even a self-supporting one, but until the dark thumb of fate presses me to the dust and says 'you are nothing', I will be a writer.”

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Source: Gonzo

“I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing.”

Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) American politician, 40th president of the United States (in office from 1981 to 1989)

The third and fourth sentences are a paraphrase of a sentence by G. K. Chesterton: "I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act." Generally Speaking, "On Holland' (1928).
1980s, First term of office (1981–1985), First Inaugural address (1981)
Context: It is time for us to realize that we're too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams. We're not, as some would have us believe, doomed to an inevitable decline. I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing. So, with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope. We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.

“If anybody asks me what I have accomplished, I will say all I have accomplished is that I have written a few good sentences.”

Eric Hoffer (1898–1983) American philosopher

Manuscript note, quoted at The Eric Hoffer Award official site http://www.hofferaward.com/

“I am nothing but these people, and as an actor I’m always trying to call up lives and the reason I know these things as an actor is because I have the DNA of all these crazy people.”

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"Meryl Streep's British ancestor 'helped start war with Native Americans," 2012

“Some people suggested that I should try something else. It was a lot of things, but nothing really stood out for me. Nothing felt right, and this job as an actor happened by coincidence.”

Claudia Kim (1985) South Korean actress

"I hope I am representing Asians well: Claudia Kim (IANS Interview)" in Business Standard (23 November 2018) https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-SEB-88149