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 capitalists owned everything in the world, and everyone else was their slave. They owned all the land, all the houses, all the factories, and all the money. If anyone disobeyed them they could throw him into prison, or they could take his job away and starve him to death. When any ordinary person spoke to a capitalist he had to cringe and bow to him, and take off his cap and address him as 'Sir'
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques the power dynamics between capitalists and workers, suggesting a dehumanizing relationship.
George Orwell highlights the stark divide between the wealthy capitalists who control all resources and the ordinary people who are subjugated by this system. It emphasizes how capitalism creates a hierarchical society where the masses are reduced to servitude, forced to exhibit deference to their economic superiors, thus critiquing social injustices and the moral implications of wealth disparity.
Themes
CapitalismPowerInequalitySubjugationSocietyWorkerAuthority
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing economic inequalities, one might use this quote to illustrate the oppressive structures of capitalism.
More from George Orwell
All quotes →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.
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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.
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Not to expose your true feelings to an adult seems to be instinctive from the age of seven or eight onwards.
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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.
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