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
To exchange one orthodoxy for another is not necessarily an advance. The enemy is the gramophone mind, whether or not one agrees with the record that is being played at the moment.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Blindly adhering to any dominant ideology without critical thought hinders true progress.
In this quote, George Orwell critiques the tendency to switch from one fixed belief system to another without questioning its validity. He warns that doing so may not constitute real advancement in thought, emphasizing the importance of independent thinking over conforming to the prevailing ideas, which he likens to a 'gramophone mind' that passively accepts what's being played without discernment.
Themes
OrthodoxyIndependent ThinkingProgressCritical ThoughtConformity
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on political ideology, one might quote Orwell to emphasize the importance of questioning prevailing thoughts.
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.
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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