Hubbard churned out thousands of writings — books, magazine articles, policy letters, technical bulletins etc.
I have often noted that if something Hubbard said is inconvenient to the current circumstance, you can probably find something else he said that is contradictory and will suit the current need.
There are a few writings of Hubbard that were pure self-promotional propaganda. His statement: “the work was free, keep it so” comes to mind, ha ha ha. NOTHING is free in scientology.
But perhaps the most blatant of all is his essay “What is Greatness?” It is used by scientology regularly to present Hubbard the “humanitarian” with his pronouncement of himself as a kind, forgiving saint-like person who is above mere human reactions.
Here are some quotes from it:
The hardest task one can have is to continue to love one’s fellows despite all reasons he should not.
And the true sign of sanity and greatness is to so continue.
For the one who can achieve this, there is abundant hope. For those who cannot, there is only sorrow, hatred and despair, and these are not the things of which greatness or sanity or happiness are made.
To do one’s task without becoming furious at others who seek to prevent one is a mark of greatness—and sanity. And only then can one be happy.
Seeking to achieve any single desirable quality in life is a noble thing. The one most difficult and most necessary to achieve is to love one’s fellows despite all invitations to do otherwise.
Some of us are subject to those pressures and still go on doing our jobs. Others have long since succumbed and rave and torture and strut like the demented souls they are.
One must act, one must preserve order and decency, but one need not hate or seek vengeance.
Never use what is done to one as a basis for hatred. Never desire revenge.
Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.
Contrast these noble sounding statements — proclaiming he embodies them “some of us are subject to those pressures and still go on doing our jobs” with other Hubbard pronouncements (and there are many more of these contained in numerous articles):
People attack Scientology; I never forget it, always even the score.
People attack auditors, or staff, or organisations, or me. I never forget until the slate is clear.
Fair Game. May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued, lied to or destroyed.
“…those who try to make life hard for us are AT ONCE at risk.”
The only way to defend anything is to ATTACK…
…cause his professional decease. If possible, of course, ruin him utterly.
…always find or manufacture enough threat against them to cause them to sue for peace. Peace is bought with an exchange of advantage, so make the advantage and then settle. Don’t ever defend. Always attack.
A. COUNTER ATTACK TO OBTAIN THE REMOVAL OF THE PERSON with a product of DISMISSED ATTACKER.
B. If on test, A is not feasible, SURVEY TO FIND WHAT THE PERSON CONSIDERS VALUABLE AND USE IT FOR RESTRAINT.
…discover what the person really is defending and threaten it effectively.
Harass these persons in any possible way.
Any Sea Org member contacting any of them is to use Auditing Process R2-45. [.45 caliber bullet to the head]
…We must ourselves fight on the basis of total attrition of the enemy. So never get reasonable about him. Just go all the way in and obliterate him.
There was a lot more Mr. Hyde in L. Ron Hubbard than Dr. Jekyll. His kinder, gentler aspect was only evident when it served some other purpose
Glenn says
Great article Mike.
Reminded me of when Hubbard was told his son had committed suicide his response was; “What is that asshole doing, trying to ruin me?”
Definitely no kindness, gentleness, compassion, etc. etc. etc. Told me a heck of a lot about him when I heard that.