“If you have embraced a creed which appears to be free from the ordinary dirtiness of politics – a creed from which you yourself cannot expect to draw any material advantage – surely that proves that you are in the right?”
- June 25, 1903 – January 21, 1950
- Born in India during the British colonial period
- Author, journalist
- Through his representative works “1984” and “Animal Farm,” he presented sharp criticism of totalitarianism and the abuse of power, greatly influencing contemporary literature and thought.
Quote
“If you have embraced a creed which appears to be free from the ordinary dirtiness of politics – a creed from which you yourself cannot expect to draw any material advantage – surely that proves that you are in the right?”
Explanation
In this quote, George Orwell highlights the moral appeal of ideologies or belief systems that appear to be untainted by the corruption of political power or personal gain. He suggests that when someone adopts a belief system or creed that is not motivated by personal material advantage—especially when it seems above the politics that often drive human behavior—there is a temptation to assume that this makes the belief inherently righteous or just. The argument here is that if a creed appears pure and unselfish, free from the usual manipulations of power, it may feel like evidence of its rightness or moral superiority. Orwell is questioning whether the purity of an ideology automatically makes it the truth or whether this perception of purity might, in fact, blind individuals to the flaws or dangerous consequences that can arise from any ideology.
Orwell’s skepticism about ideologies is deeply rooted in his experiences with both fascism and Stalinism, where seemingly noble causes—such as fighting for justice or revolution—became distorted and corrupted through power and political manipulation. In Animal Farm and 1984, Orwell critiques how movements that claim to be virtuous or selfless can quickly be hijacked by those who seek to use them for personal or political gain, even when those benefiting from the system appear to have no personal material advantage at first glance. For Orwell, the appeal of any ideology—whether socialist, capitalist, or revolutionary—can mask the inherent dangers of dogmatism and authoritarianism, which can ultimately lead to injustice and oppression.
This idea is still relevant today, as individuals and groups often justify their beliefs or movements by presenting them as pure or untainted by self-interest, even when the reality may be more complex. Whether in political movements, social causes, or corporate policies, the assumption that a belief is inherently right because it appears to be free from personal benefit can lead to blind adherence or unchecked authority. Orwell’s quote encourages us to critically examine not just the idealism behind a creed or belief, but the actual consequences it produces and the potential for corruption or exploitation once power becomes involved.
