1984 Winston Quotes

The novel “1984” by George Orwell is a dystopian masterpiece that has left a lasting impact on literature and society. Set in a totalitarian world where individualism is suppressed, the story follows the protagonist Winston Smith as he rebels against the oppressive regime. Throughout the novel, Winston’s thoughts and actions are filled with profound insights and thought-provoking quotes that highlight the themes of power, control, and the struggle for freedom.

In this article, we have compiled a list of 1984 Winston quotes that resonate with readers and continue to inspire discussions about the dangers of authoritarianism. These quotes serve as a reminder of the importance of individualism, truth, and the constant fight for liberty.

Read these 1984 Winston quotes

“Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.”

“Power is not a means; it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship.”

“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.”

“The choice for mankind lies between freedom and happiness and for the great bulk of mankind, happiness is better.”

“If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.”

“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.”

“Big Brother is watching you.”

“Until they become conscious, they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled, they cannot become conscious.”

“The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power.”

“The heretic, the enemy of society, will always be there, so that he can be defeated and humiliated over again.”

“Orthodoxy means not thinking—not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.”

“We do not merely destroy our enemies; we change them.”

“Sanity is not statistical.”

“The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth.”

“Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.”

“Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime is death.”

“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”

“Reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else.”

“Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing.”

“The best books… are those that tell you what you know already.”

“So long as they (the Proles) continued to work and breed, their other activities were without importance. Left to themselves, like cattle turned loose upon the plains of Argentina, they had reverted to a style of life that appeared to be natural to them, a sort of ancestral pattern… Heavy physical work, the care of home and children, petty quarrels with neighbors, films, football, beer, and above all, gambling filled up the horizon of their minds. To keep them in control was not difficult.”

These quotes from Winston provide a glimpse into the world of “1984” and the struggles faced by its inhabitants. They serve as a reminder to question authority, cherish individualism, and fight for truth and freedom. As we continue to navigate the complexities of our own society, these quotes offer valuable insights and lessons that remain relevant today.