Churchill on fanatics

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject"
- Winston Churchill

The key point here is "can't change his mind." Some one who is persistent about reaching a goal would not be called a fanatic.

"Fanatic" has a negative connotation to it, suggesting that the subject about which a fanatic is so exercised is insubstantial or of little consequence.

Fanatic is the precursor of "fan," as in "sports fan."

Bill Allin
'Turning It Around: Causes and Cures for Today's Epidemic Social Problems,' working to give each person topics of substance to be passionate about.
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