QuoteProject
Is not anyone with any degree of mental honesty conscious of telling lies all day long, both in talking and writing, simply because lies will fall into artistic shape when truth will not?
George Orwell
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that people often resort to lying, as the truth can be difficult to express artistically.

In this quote, George Orwell reflects on the struggle between truth and art, highlighting the idea that individuals frequently distort reality by telling lies. He suggests that people possess a degree of mental honesty that acknowledges this constant deceit, often finding that lies can be molded into a more aesthetically pleasing form than the raw truth, which can sometimes be less palatable or engaging in conversation and writing.

Themes

LiesTruthArtCommunicationHonesty

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about media ethics, one might quote Orwell to highlight the manipulation of truth in journalism.

More from George Orwell

If one harbours anywhere in one's mind a nationalistic loyalty or hatred, certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible.
George OrwellRead
The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
George OrwellRead
Political writing in our time consists almost entirely of prefabricated phrases bolted together like the pieces of a child's Meccano set. It is the unavoidable result of self-censorship. To write in plain, vigorous language one has to think fearlessly, and if one thinks fearlessly one cannot be politically orthodox.
George OrwellRead
Not to expose your true feelings to an adult seems to be instinctive from the age of seven or eight onwards.
George OrwellRead
As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.
George OrwellRead
It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
George OrwellRead

Similar quotes

I think a child should be allowed to take his father's or mother's name at will on coming of age. Paternity is a legal fiction.
James JoyceRead
That one plant should be sown and another be produced cannot happen; whatever seed is sown, a plant of that kind even comes forth.
Guru NanakRead
A man's shortcomings are taken from his epoch; his virtues and greatness belong to himself.
Johann Wolfgang Von GoetheRead
It is possible to offer fervent prayer even while walking in public or strolling alone or seated in your shop ... while buying or selling ... or even while cooking.
Saint John ChrysostomRead
Beauty is indeed a good gift of God; but that the good may not think it a great good, God dispenses it even to the wicked.
Saint AugustineRead
It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God.
Thomas JeffersonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.