Enjoy the best George Orwell Quotes. Quotations by George Orwell (Novelist, Essayist, Journalist,Critic) Jun 25, 1903 - Jan 21, 1950
To survive, you must tell stories.
So much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot.
Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.
In our time, no one is poor but the poor.
The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.
At 50, everyone has the face he deserves.
One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes a revolution in order to establish a dictatorship.
The quickest way to end a war is to lose it.
Threats to freedom of speech, writing, and action, though often trivial in isolation, are cumulative in their effect and, unless checked, lead to a general disrespect for the rights of the citizen.
In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible.
All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle.
George Orwell, born as Eric Arthur Blair on June 25, 1903, was an influential British writer and journalist renowned for his penetrating social criticism and powerful storytelling. He remains one of the most celebrated figures in 20th-century literature, having authored several influential works that have shaped the landscape of dystopian fiction and political discourse.
Orwell was born in Motihari, British India, where his father worked as a civil servant. His family later relocated to England when he was just a young child. Orwell's early life experiences, including his education at prestigious institutions such as St. Cyprian's School and Eton College, laid the foundation for his later literary pursuits.
After completing his education, Orwell embarked on various adventures, including living as a tramp, working in menial jobs, and even fighting in the Spanish Civil War. These experiences informed his deep understanding of the working class and the oppressive systems that governed society. Orwell's firsthand encounters with poverty, inequality, and totalitarian regimes significantly influenced his writing style and the themes explored in his works.
In 1933, Orwell began his career as a writer, penning numerous essays, articles, and reviews for various publications. He adopted the pseudonym "George Orwell" to protect his family's reputation while he pursued his political writing. Orwell's earliest novels, such as "Burmese Days" (1934) and "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" (1936), were critical of British imperialism and explored themes of individualism and societal constraints.
However, it was Orwell's most famous works, "Animal Farm" (1945) and "Nineteen Eighty-Four" (1949), that catapulted him to global recognition. These dystopian novels depicted nightmarish visions of totalitarianism, exposing the dangers of political manipulation, propaganda, and the erosion of individual freedom. Orwell's chilling portrayal of oppressive regimes and the destruction of truth struck a chord with readers and cemented his status as a masterful commentator on political and social issues.
Throughout his career, Orwell staunchly advocated for democratic socialism and believed in the importance of personal liberty and social justice. He possessed a remarkable ability to dissect political ideologies, exposing their flaws and dangers, while offering a powerful critique of power structures and authoritarianism. Orwell's work continues to resonate with readers, serving as a cautionary reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked government control and the importance of preserving civil liberties.
Tragically, George Orwell's life was cut short by illness. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis in the late 1940s and passed away on January 21, 1950, at the age of 46. Despite his untimely death, Orwell's literary legacy lives on, with his works remaining essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of political power, social control, and the struggle for individual freedom in the modern world.