Portrait of George Orwell

George Orwell

1984, Animal Farm

Modern influential 77 sayings

Sayings by George Orwell

The very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. Lies will pass into history and become truth.

1949 — Nineteen Eighty-Four
General Unverifiable

A people that has once been thoroughly purged of the desire for liberty will not regain it.

1949 — Nineteen Eighty-Four
General Unverifiable

Early in life I noted that no event is ever correctly reported in a newspaper, but in the Spanish War I saw newspaper reports which did not bear the remotest relation to the facts, not even the relationship which is implied in an ordinary lie.

1943 — Looking Back on the Spanish War
Life & Aging Unverifiable

Perhaps one of the most alarming things about totalitarianism is that it is not, as is sometimes imagined, a static tyranny, but a dynamic one.

1944 — Review of 'The Road to Serfdom' by F.A. Hayek
General Unverifiable

Good prose is like a window pane.

1946 — Why I Write
General Unverifiable

The best books, he perceived, are those that tell you what you know already.

1949 — Nineteen Eighty-Four
General Unverifiable

The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection, that one is prepared to muddle along, to be imperfect and yet to remain sane.

Approx. 1940s — Often attributed, but exact phrasing and direct source in his published works can be debated; a comm…
General Unverifiable

I am not a pacifist.

1930s-1940s — Letters to various correspondents
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power.

1949 — Nineteen Eighty-Four
General Unverifiable

The greatest danger to freedom is an apathetic citizenry.

Approx. 1940s — Often attributed, but exact phrasing and direct source in his published works can be debated; a comm…
Food & Drink Unverifiable

The choice for mankind lies between freedom and happiness and for the great bulk of mankind, happiness is better.

1949 — Nineteen Eighty-Four
Food & Drink Unverifiable

If you are to avoid being a slave you must be a rebel.

Unknown — A phrase that reflects his philosophy, but attribution to a specific quote is difficult.
General Unverifiable

Circus dogs jump when the trainer cracks his whip, but the really well-trained dog is the one that turns somersaults when there is no whip.

Approx. 1940s — Often attributed, but exact phrasing and direct source in his published works can be debated; a comm…
General Unverifiable

Myths which are believed in tend to become true.

1940 — Collected Essays, Journalism and Letters, Vol. 2
General Unverifiable

The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection.

Approx. 1940s — Often attributed, but exact phrasing and direct source in his published works can be debated; a comm…
General Unverifiable

All the best people are eccentrics.

Unknown — Often attributed, but exact phrasing and direct source in his published works can be debated; a comm…
General Unverifiable

Big Brother is watching you.

1949 — Nineteen Eighty-Four
General Unverifiable
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