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
Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that every generation believes it possesses greater intelligence than the previous one and greater wisdom than the next.
George Orwell's quote reflects a common phenomenon where individuals tend to see their own perspectives and knowledge as superior to those of past and future generations. This notion points to the inherent human tendency to pride oneself on the advancements made in understanding and insight, while often underestimating the wisdom and achievements of those who preceded them, as well as the potential of those who will follow.
In practice
This quote could be used in a speech about the importance of learning from history.
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.
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.
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.
Not to expose your true feelings to an adult seems to be instinctive from the age of seven or eight onwards.
As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.
It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
All life battles teach us something, even those we lose
Alas, we think of ourselves as unique entities-minds unlike any others-and thus we often reject the lessons that the emotional experience of others has to teach us.
It is my wish that you may have at better and freer life than I have had. Recommend virtue to your children; it alone, not money, can make them happy. I speak from experience; this was what upheld me in time of misery.
Though sin often brings immediate pleasure, it gives no lasting joy.
There is a third silent party to all our bargains. The nature and soul of things takes on itself the guaranty of the fulfillment of every contract, so that honest service cannot come to loss. If you serve an ungrateful master, serve him the more. Put God in your debt. Every stroke shall be repaid. The longer the payment is withholden, the better for you; for compound interest on compound interest is the rate and usage of this exchequer.
We are all failures - at least the best of us are.
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