“Progress is not an illusion, it happens, but it is slow and invariably disappointing.”
- June 25, 1903 – January 21, 1950
- Born in India during the British colonial period
- Author, journalist
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Quote
“Progress is not an illusion, it happens, but it is slow and invariably disappointing.”
Explanation
In this quote, George Orwell acknowledges that progress is real—it is something that occurs over time—but he also highlights the frustration and disappointment that often accompany it. Orwell recognizes that change and improvement in society or human affairs do happen, but they tend to unfold at a slow pace, and the results often fail to live up to the lofty expectations people have for them. This sense of disappointment arises because progress is usually more incremental and less transformative than hoped, and the positive outcomes often come with unforeseen consequences or new problems that complicate the initial goals.
Orwell’s understanding of progress was shaped by his disillusionment with both revolutionary movements and political ideologies. He had witnessed firsthand how political change often leads to bureaucratic stagnation or new forms of oppression, rather than the liberation or equality promised by reformers. His experiences in the Spanish Civil War, where leftist factions turned against each other, and his critiques of Stalinism and capitalism in works like Animal Farm and 1984, demonstrate how progressive ideals are often distorted or compromised by the realities of political power. Orwell suggests that, while progress does happen, it is rarely as radical or idealistic as people hope, and it often leads to new forms of frustration.
This idea is still relevant today, as social, political, and technological progress often unfolds in ways that do not meet the expectations of those pushing for change. Whether in the context of economic inequality, environmental issues, or social justice movements, progress can feel slow, and the solutions may lead to unintended consequences or new challenges. Orwell’s quote reminds us that progress, while real, is often a long-term and imperfect process, marked by compromise, setbacks, and disillusionment. It encourages a more realistic understanding of change—one that embraces the small victories while acknowledging the inevitable challenges along the way.
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