George OrwellGeorge Orwell, [Eric Arthur Blair] (1903-1950) British author

George Orwell Quote

“The ordinary man is passive. Within a narrow circle, home life, and perhaps the trade unions or local politics, he feels himself master of his fate. But otherwise he simply lies down and lets things happen to him.”

George OrwellGeorge Orwell
~ George Orwell

Inside the Whale, 1940

Ratings and Comments


Mark, Grand Island, Nebraska

I don't want to be that man. Do you? The greatest power we have is the power to choose. Stand up!

EGL, LA
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EGL, LA    5/17/07

The majority are quite limited in their self determination. They live under the delusion that they make choices but it is just that-a delusion. This is not Ayn Rand's paradigm we are inhabiting.

Joe, Rochester, MI

A rather sad commentary of most people today.

Anonymous, Reston, VA US

And thus we have a country lead by an ordinary man... a man not up to the task of being a just leader... a man better suited to sitting on a sofa choking on chips than making decisions.

E Archer, NYC

Sounds nice -- why shouldn't life be like that? Well, because of the ambitious who envision themselves as not only master of their own fate but of everybody else's, too.

Mike, Norwalk

Good to see you back EGL. Editor, what happened to my comment?

Eric, Wichita, KS

Not giving a damn is not the same as passivity. If I care about something I am anything but passive. It is easy to confuse the two I suppose. Perhaps I should care more about the Christians in Darfur getting slaughtered and enslaved by the Muslims, but I don't. My bad. It is not worth my life, the Christians should smarten up and kill the Muslims or move the hell away. That is not the same as being passive about it. Passive is saying "Someone should do something about it, and I would if..." I simply do not care about it

Editor, Liberty Quotes

Sorry, Mike -- I don't know. Please resubmit. Thanks

warren, olathe

Very true. Quote sure sound like one Ayn Rand would have come up with.

cal, lewisville, tx

I agree Warren.

Anonymous, panama

excellent ! very close to what reality is !

Ronw13, Yachats Or

Not knowing what to care for ? A very narrow circle, socialism creates. The nanny state instilling their Fabian mindset. To protect another's Liberty is to instill independence with a compassionate cause. To see one succeed is a great reward when they are able to teach others also. This takes care and love of your fellow man. Faith in our grantor of Liberty is color blind, hate is not. Ready to rescue, ready to defend.
Semper Fi

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