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
As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The effectiveness of socialism is often undermined by the behavior of those who support it.
In this quote, George Orwell suggests that just as the Christian faith can sometimes be negatively impacted by the actions of its followers, the principles of socialism can be tarnished by the conduct of its advocates. This highlights a broader theme regarding how individuals' behaviors and beliefs can shape perceptions of ideological systems.
Themes
SocialismChristianityAdherentsPerceptionIdeology
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a debate about the impact of individual supporters on political ideologies.
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.
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
It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
George OrwellRead
I sometimes think that the price of liberty is not so much eternal vigilance as eternal dirt.
George OrwellRead
Similar quotes
Left-wing zealots have often been prepared to ride roughshod over due process and basic considerations of fairness when they think they can get away with it. For them the ends always seems to justify the means. That is precisely how their predecessors came to create the gulag.
Margaret ThatcherRead
We cannot expect that everyone, to use the phrase of a decade ago, will talk sense to the American people. But we can hope that fewer people will listen to nonsense. And the notion that this Nation is headed for defeat through deficit, or that strength is but a matter of slogans, is nothing but just plain nonsense.
John F. KennedyRead
The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the goverment.
Franklin D. RooseveltRead
These two great organisations of the English-speaking democracies, the British Empire and the United States, will have to be somewhat mixed up together in some affairs for mutual and general advantage. I do not view the process with any misgivings. I could not stop it if I wished. Let it roll on full flood, inexorable, irresistible, benignant, to broader lands, and better days.
Winston ChurchillRead
In Iran the whole reform and democracy movement has been based on the emerging free press.
Christiane AmanpourRead
Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers.
Nikita KhrushchevRead