Who said “The suspicious mind believes more than it doubts. It believes in a formidable and…”?

Verified

Eric Hoffer. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)

Find The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms on Amazon · paid link

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Authors A–Z
“The suspicious mind believes more than it doubts. It believes in a formidable and ineradicable evil lurking in every person.”
— Eric Hoffer
VerifiedThe Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955) · evidenceSuspicion

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955).

APA

Hoffer, E. (n.d.). The suspicious mind believes more than it doubts. It believes in a formidable and ineradicable evil lurking in every person. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25918-the-suspicious-mind-believes-more-than-it-doubts/

MLA

Hoffer, Eric. “The suspicious mind believes more than it doubts. It believes in a formidable and ineradicable evil lurking in every person.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25918-the-suspicious-mind-believes-more-than-it-doubts/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Hoffer, Eric. “The suspicious mind believes more than it doubts. It believes in a formidable and ineradicable evil lurking in every person.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25918-the-suspicious-mind-believes-more-than-it-doubts/.

Related quotes

More quotes by Eric Hoffer

All 138 Eric Hoffer quotes →