For the dreadful thing about the kind of brutalities here described, is that they are quite unavoidable. When a subject population rises in revolt yo… - George Orwell

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Engraved portrait of George Orwell, facing left

For the dreadful thing about the kind of brutalities here described, is that they are quite unavoidable. When a subject population rises in revolt you have got to suppress it, and you can only do so by methods which make nonsense of any claim for the superiority of western civilisation. In order to rule over barbarians, you have got to become a barbarian yourself.

English
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About George Orwell

George Orwell (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950) was the pen name of British novelist, essayist, and journalist Eric Arthur Blair, whose work is characterised by lucid prose, awareness of social injustice, opposition to totalitarianism, and strong support of democratic socialism.

Biography information from Wikiquote · Portrait adapted from Wikimedia Commons, Cassowary Colorizations (CC BY)

Also Known As

Pen Names: John Freeman
Birth Name: Eric Arthur Blair
Alternative Names: Orwell Eric Blair P. S. Burton

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Additional quotes by George Orwell

But you could not have pure love or pure lust nowadays. No emotion was pure, because everything was mixed up with fear and hatred. Their embrace had been a battle, the climax a victory. It was a blow struck against the Party. It was a political act.

They fear love because it creates a world they can't control.

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