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
And if all others accepted the lie which the Party imposed—if all records told the same tale—then the lie passed into history and became truth. 'Who controls the past' ran the Party slogan, 'controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote discusses how narrative and historical control shape our perception of truth and the future.
In this quote, George Orwell reflects on the manipulation of truth and history by those in power. He emphasizes that if a powerful entity, such as a political party, shapes the narrative and controls what is recorded, the lies they propagate can become accepted as historical truths, thus influencing present and future perceptions. This points to the critical role of information control in society and the implications for freedom and individuality.
Themes
TruthHistoryPowerControlNarrative
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion on propaganda and its effects on society.
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.
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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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