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Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.
George Orwell
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Freedom includes the ability to express unpopular opinions.

This quote by George Orwell highlights the essential role of free speech in a democratic society. It emphasizes that true freedom is not merely about expressing agreeable ideas, but also about having the courage to voice unpopular or uncomfortable truths, even if they may be met with resistance or disapproval from others.

Themes

FreedomSpeechTruthExpressionDemocracyUnpopular

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in discussions about the importance of free speech on college campuses.

More from George Orwell

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.
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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.
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It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
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