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
Power is not a means, it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Power is inherently valued, often pursued for its own sake rather than as a tool for a greater cause.
In this quote, George Orwell emphasizes that the quest for power can become the ultimate goal, overshadowing the initially noble intentions behind political movements. He warns against the cyclical nature of revolutions that lead to the establishment of oppressive regimes, suggesting that the desire for control often subverts the original principles of freedom.
Themes
PowerDictatorshipRevolutionPoliticsControl
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about governance during a political debate.
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.
George OrwellRead
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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