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
Is not anyone with any degree of mental honesty conscious of telling lies all day long, both in talking and writing, simply because lies will fall into artistic shape when truth will not?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that people often resort to lying, as the truth can be difficult to express artistically.
In this quote, George Orwell reflects on the struggle between truth and art, highlighting the idea that individuals frequently distort reality by telling lies. He suggests that people possess a degree of mental honesty that acknowledges this constant deceit, often finding that lies can be molded into a more aesthetically pleasing form than the raw truth, which can sometimes be less palatable or engaging in conversation and writing.
Themes
LiesTruthArtCommunicationHonesty
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about media ethics, one might quote Orwell to highlight the manipulation of truth in journalism.
More from George Orwell
All quotes βThe 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.
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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