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
Only old Benjamin professed to remember every detail of his long life and to know that things never had been, nor ever could be much better or much worse--hunger, hardship, and disappointment being, so he said, the unalterable law of life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a cynical view of life, suggesting that suffering and disappointment are inherent aspects of existence.
In this quote from George Orwell, old Benjamin, the cynical donkey from 'Animal Farm', expresses his belief that life's challenges, such as hunger and disappointment, are inevitable and unchangeable. This perspective suggests a resigned acceptance of life's hardships, implying that the human condition is characterized by a constant cycle of struggle, and that the idea of significant improvement or decline in one's circumstances is an illusion.
Themes
LifeSufferingHardshipDisappointmentCynicism
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on the challenges of life, one might quote Orwell to emphasize the inevitability of hardship.
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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