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 choice before human beings, is not, as a rule, between good and evil but between two evils.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humans often face dilemmas where the options available are both undesirable.
George Orwell suggests that the moral choices humans encounter are frequently not clear-cut between good and evil but are instead complex situations where one must choose the lesser of two evils. This reflects the complexities of human decision-making and the often imperfect nature of ethical dilemmas in life.
Themes
ChoicesMoralityEthicsDecisionsDilemmas
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on moral philosophy, this quote can highlight the complexities of ethical decisions.
More from George Orwell
All quotes βThe 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.
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It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
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