To walk through the ruined cities of Germany is to feel an actual doubt about the continuity of civilization.
– George Orwell
The object of power is power.
– George Orwell
We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it.
– George Orwell
“A plongeur is a slave, and a wasted slave, doing stupid and largely unnecessary work. He is kept at work, ultimately, because of a vague feeling that he would be dangerous if he had leisure. And educated people, who should be on his side, acquiesce in the process, because they know nothing about him and consequently are afraid of him.”
– George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London
Political language. . . is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.
– George Orwell
At 50, everyone has the face he deserves
– George Orwell
“At age 50 every man has the face he deserves.”
– George Orwell
Advertising is the rattling of a stick inside a swill bucket.
– George Orwell
Patriotism is usually stronger than class hatred, and always stronger than internationalism.
– George Orwell
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
– George Orwell
He who controls the past commands the future. He who commands the future conquers the past.
– George Orwell
The public are swine; advertising is the rattling of a stick inside a swill bucket.
– George Orwell
Advertising is the rattling of a stick inside a swill bucket.
– George Orwell
The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it.
– George Orwell
On the whole, human beings want to be good, but not too good, and not quite all the time.
– George Orwell
Myths which are believed in tend to become true.
– George Orwell
He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past,controls the future.
– George Orwell
To an ordinary human being, love means nothing if it does not mean loving some people more than others.
– George Orwell
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
– George Orwell
To see what is in front of one’s nose requires a constant struggle.
– George Orwell