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
One of the effects of a safe and civilized life is an immense over sensitiveness which makes all the primary emotions somewhat disgusting.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A safe and civilized life can lead to an excessive sensitivity that distorts our perception of fundamental emotions.
George Orwell's quote suggests that living in a safe, civilized environment can heighten our sensitivity to emotions, to the point where we might find our natural, primal feelings unappealing or repulsive. This over-sensitiveness can alienate us from our true selves and the rawness of human experience, leading to a disconnection from genuine emotional responses.
Themes
SensitivenessCivilizedEmotionsHuman ExperienceOver-Sensitivity
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the emotional impacts of modern living during a philosophy class.
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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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