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
Of pain you could wish only one thing: that it should stop. Nothing in the world was so bad as physical pain. In the face of pain there are no heroes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Pain is an overwhelming experience that strips away the facade of heroism, leaving only the desire for relief.
This quote by George Orwell highlights the profound and singular nature of physical pain, suggesting that in the midst of suffering, the concept of heroism becomes irrelevant. It emphasizes the deep human desire to escape pain, revealing that when confronted with such an agonizing experience, individuals often prioritize relief over bravery or accolades.
Themes
PainSufferingReliefCourageHeroism
In practice
Example use cases
During a support group, one might express this quote to emphasize the common struggle with pain.
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.
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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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It is fatal to look hungry. It makes people want to kick you.
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