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
Whoever is winning at the moment will always seem to be invincible.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Victory can create an illusion of superiority and invincibility.
This quote by George Orwell highlights how perception can be skewed by current success. In moments of triumph, those who are winning can appear unbeatable, leading others to underestimate their vulnerabilities and the potential for change in fortune.
Themes
VictoryPerceptionSuccessIllusionInvincibility
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to emphasize that success can cloud judgment.
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.
George OrwellRead
It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
George OrwellRead
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