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
It is a mysterious thing, the loss of faith—as mysterious as faith itself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The loss of faith is as enigmatic and profound as faith itself, highlighting the complexity of belief.
In this quote, George Orwell emphasizes the enigmatic nature of both faith and its absence. He suggests that just as faith can be a deeply personal and often unfathomable experience, so too is the experience of losing that faith. This reflection prompts us to consider the profound emotional and philosophical implications that come with belief and its disappearance, which can impact individuals in unique and complex ways.
Themes
FaithLossMysteryBeliefPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about overcoming personal challenges, one might use this quote to illustrate the complexity of faith.
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
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But night would come and with it the mountain moon and the lake would be moon - laned and I'd go out and sit in the grass and meditate facing west, wishing there were a Personal God in all this impersonal matter.
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Our Declaration of Independence was held sacred by all and thought to include all; but now, to aid in making the bondage of the Negro universal and eternal, it is assailed, sneered at, construed, hawked at, and torn, till, if its framers could rise from their graves, they could not at all recognize it.
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