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
A dirty joke is a sort of mental rebellion.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A dirty joke represents a challenge to societal norms and moral constraints.
This quote by George Orwell highlights how humor, particularly in the form of dirty jokes, can serve as a form of rebellion against societal expectations and taboos. Such jokes allow individuals to express their discontent with conventional morality and challenge the status quo through laughter, suggesting that humor can be a powerful tool for personal freedom and dissent.
Themes
HumorRebellionSocietyJokeFreedom
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a comedy club to explain the essence of humor.
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
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
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Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy.
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When I got to 'The Daily Show,' they asked me to have a political opinion. It turned out that I had one, but I didn't realize quite how liberal I was until I was asked to make passionate comedic choices as opposed to necessarily successful comedic choices.
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Oh, he did his best to make their short lives miserable, because that was his job, but nothing he could think up was half as bad as the stuff they thought up themselves.
Terry PratchettRead
I try and write satire that's well-intentioned. But those intentions have to be hidden. It can't be completely clear, and that's what makes it comedy.
Bo BurnhamRead
There's a thin line between to laugh with and to laugh at.
Richard PryorRead