George Orwell, [Eric Arthur Blair] (1903-1950) British author Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page 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 Orwell ~ George Orwell [Eric Arthur Blair] (1903-1950) British authorInside the Whale, 1940 Apathy , Dependence , Freedom , Law , Liberty , Responsibility Ratings and Comments Reply Mark, Grand Island, Nebraska 4/18/07 I don't want to be that man. Do you? The greatest power we have is the power to choose. Stand up! 1 Reply 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. Reply Joe, Rochester, MI 5/17/07 A rather sad commentary of most people today. Reply Anonymous, Reston, VA US 5/17/07 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. Reply E Archer, NYC 5/17/07 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. Reply Mike, Norwalk 5/17/07 Good to see you back EGL. Editor, what happened to my comment? 12Reply Eric, Wichita, KS 5/17/07 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 Reply Editor, Liberty Quotes 5/17/07 Sorry, Mike -- I don't know. Please resubmit. Thanks Reply warren, olathe 12/11/07 Very true. Quote sure sound like one Ayn Rand would have come up with. Reply cal, lewisville, tx 7/31/15 I agree Warren. Reply Anonymous, panama 7/31/15 excellent ! very close to what reality is ! Reply Mike, Norwalk 7/31/15 1 Reply Ronw13, Yachats Or 7/31/15 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 Reply jim k, Austin 7/31/15 Reply Warrdoc, Elk Grove, 8/1/15 Reply Charles, Ludlow 8/1/15 SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This George Orwell quote is found in these categories: Apathy quotes Dependence quotes Freedom quotes Law quotes Liberty quotes Responsibility quotes About George Orwell Bio of George Orwell Quotations by George Orwell Books by/about George Orwell George Orwell videos George Orwell on Wikipedia Astrological chart for George Orwell