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
Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the paradox of humanity's dominance despite its lack of physical contributions to nature.
George Orwell's quote reflects on the unique position of humans in the animal kingdom, illustrating how, unlike other creatures that provide sustenance through their natural abilities, humans consume resources without directly contributing to their production. This observation raises profound questions about the nature of power, privilege, and responsibility in society, challenging us to consider the implications of our consumption and the moral obligations that come with it.
Themes
HumanityConsumptionPowerNatureResponsibility
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about environmental responsibility, one might say, 'As George Orwell pointed out, 'Man is the only creature that consumes without producing,' reminding us of our duty to give back to the Earth.
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.
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
The true Christian is like sandalwood, which imparts its fragrance to the axe which cuts it, without doing any harm in return.
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Having faith in the plan of salvation includes steadfastly refusing to be diverted from our true identities and responsibilities. In the brief season of our existence on earth we may serve as a plumber, professor, farmer, physician, mechanic, bookkeeper, or teacher. These are useful activities and honorable designations; but a temporary vocation is not reflective of our true identities. Matthew was a tax collector, Luke a physician, and Peter a fisherman. In a salvational sense, 'so what!'
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Argue with anything else, but don't argue with your own nature.
Philip PullmanRead
Are you then unable to recognize unless it has the same sound as yours?
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Ah, why should all mankind For one man's fault, be condemned, If guiltless?
John MiltonRead
It has been frequently remarked, that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country to decide, by their conduct and example, the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not, of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend, for their political constitutions, on accident and force.
Alexander HamiltonRead