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
In the face of pain there are no heroes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that true heroism is absent when facing pain and suffering.
George Orwell's quote 'In the face of pain there are no heroes' reflects the profound truth that when confronted with significant suffering, the idea of heroism diminishes. It implies that pain can strip away pretenses and reveal the vulnerability of even the strongest individuals, highlighting that everyone, regardless of their perceived strength, is affected by pain and can feel powerless in its presence.
Themes
PainHeroismSufferingVulnerabilityCourage
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech addressing overcoming adversity.
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.
George OrwellRead
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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No heart is so hard as the timid heart.
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When we decided to take up arms, it was because the only other choice was to surrender and to submit to slavery.
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