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
Power-worship blurs political judgment because it leads, almost unavoidably, to the belief that present trends will continue. Whoever is winning at the moment will always seem to be invincible.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Power-worship can distort rational political analysis, causing people to believe that the current winners will always remain dominant.
In this quote, George Orwell warns against the dangers of power-worship, which can cloud judgment and lead individuals to mistakenly assume that those in power will maintain their position indefinitely. This mindset can be detrimental to political analysis, as it discourages critical thinking and overlooks the possibility of change and opposition in the political landscape.
Themes
PowerPoliticsJudgmentTrendsWorship
In practice
Example use cases
In a political debate, one might use this quote to emphasize the need for critical analysis over blind support of leaders.
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.
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.
George OrwellRead
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