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
There are books that one reads over and over again, books that become part of the furniture of one's mind and alter one's whole attitude to life, books that one dips into but never reads through, books that one reads at a single sitting and forgets a week later.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the varying impacts of different types of books on our thoughts and lives.
George Orwell reflects on the diverse experiences one has with books, illustrating how some books deeply influence our mindset and life's perspective, while others may only leave a fleeting impression. He emphasizes the idea that literature can range from transformative works that reshuffle our beliefs to those that are merely entertaining or forgettable.
Themes
BooksReadingEducationMindAttitude
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared at a book club to discuss the impact of literature on personal growth.
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.
George OrwellRead
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.
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