--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before you are admitted to British…" description: "\"“Before you are admitted to British citizenship you are not even considered a natural human being. I looked up the word natural (na’tural) in the Pocke..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/george-mikes-4493_citizenship_before-you-are-admitted-to-british-citiz_95245.png" --- # Before you are admitted to British citizenship you are not… ![“Before you are admitted to British citizenship you are not even considered a natural human being. I looked up the word natural (na’tural) in the Pocket Oxford Dictionary (p. 251); it says: Of or according to or provided by nature, physically existing, innate, instinctive, normal, not miraculous or…” quote by George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/george-mikes-4493_citizenship_before-you-are-admitted-to-british-citiz_95245.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/george-mikes-4493_citizenship_before-you-are-admitted-to-british-citiz_95245.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/george-mikes-4493_citizenship_before-you-are-admitted-to-british-citiz_95245.png) > ““Before you are admitted to British citizenship you are not even considered a natural human being. I looked up the word natural (na’tural) in the Pocket Oxford Dictionary (p. 251); it says: Of or according to or provided by nature, physically existing, innate, instinctive, normal, not miraculous or spiritual or artificial or conventional… Note that before you obtain British citizenship, they simply doubt that you are provided by nature.”” [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The satirical remark suggests that British citizenship is treated as a gatekeeper of ‘naturalness,’ implying that non‑citizens are viewed as less authentic or even artificial. **In simple terms:** Citizenship is mocked as a test of being ‘natural.’ Key Takeaway Legal status can be weaponized to dehumanize. Themes satire nationalism citizenship identity bureaucracy Mood wry critical Type political satirical observational When to use this quote - immigration policy debates - human rights advocacy - media commentary on citizenship Key Concepts othering legal anthropology Practical Applications - Promote inclusive language in official documents - Educate public on the arbitrariness of legal definitions of humanity Questions to Reflect On - What impact does labeling non‑citizens as ‘unnatural’ have on social cohesion? - How can satire effectively expose xenophobic attitudes? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Citizenship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [Modesty used to be considered a natural female attribute. No more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-chavez/modesty-used-to-be-considered-a-natural-female-attribute-no-more/) [Linda Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-chavez/) > [Universal health care is, for me, the most sacred part, the most important pillar, of British citizenship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-perkins/universal-health-care-is-for-me-the-most-sacred-part-the-most/) [Sue Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-perkins/) > [I want to enable the Windrush generation to acquire the status that they deserve - British citizenship - quickly, at no cost, and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-rudd/i-want-to-enable-the-windrush-generation-to-acquire-the-status-that/) [Amber Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-rudd/) > [“The only distinct meaning of the word 'natural' is STATED, FIXED or SETTLED; since what is natural as much requires and presupposes an intelligent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-only-distinct-meaning-of-the-word-natural-is-stated-fixed-or/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [If they have to put the word 'natural' on a box to convince you, it probably isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-simon/if-they-have-to-put-the-word-natural-on-a-box-to-convince-you-it/) Michele Simon > [The only distinct meaning of the word "natural" is stated, fixed, or settled; since what is natural as much requires and presupposes an intelligent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-butler/the-only-distinct-meaning-of-the-word-natural-is-stated-fixed-or-2/) [Joseph Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-butler/) > [And when comfort is what we want, one of the most powerful tonics alternative medicine offers is the word 'natural.' This word implies a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eula-biss/and-when-comfort-is-what-we-want-one-of-the-most-powerful-tonics/) [Eula Biss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eula-biss/) > [The more artificial a human environment becomes, the more the word ‘natural’ becomes a term of value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-more-artificial-a-human-environment-becomes-the-more-the-word/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [I crave and seek a natural explanation of all phenomena upon this earth, but the word 'natural' to me implies more than mere chemistry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burroughs/i-crave-and-seek-a-natural-explanation-of-all-phenomena-upon-this/) [John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burroughs/) > [People use the word "natural" ... What is natural to me is these botanical species which interact directly with the nervous system. What I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/people-use-the-word-natural-what-is-natural-to-me-is-these-botanical/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [Look, there's no proof that athletes like us who may have higher testosterone levels are benefiting from this natural human body trait.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dutee-chand/look-there-s-no-proof-that-athletes-like-us-who-may-have-higher/) [Dutee Chand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dutee-chand/) > [“Most people try to divorce the two, putting natural life in one corner and spiritual life in another. But the truth is: You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-w-hagin/most-people-try-to-divorce-the-two-putting-natural-life-in-one-corner/) Kenneth W. Hagin > [I do think human beings cannot be faulted for wishing to judge themselves and their lives and their achievements by others around them; that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boris-johnson/i-do-think-human-beings-cannot-be-faulted-for-wishing-to-judge/) [Boris Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boris-johnson/) > [“A born-again Christian is a pervert who has had his instincts warped, his mind unhinged, and his total outlook on life, outlook on sex…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-klassen/a-born-again-christian-is-a-pervert-who-has-had-his-instincts-warped/) [Ben Klassen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-klassen/) > [Nature, and the natural human condition, generates tremendous suffering. We have the means to overcome that, and we should deploy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kurzweil/nature-and-the-natural-human-condition-generates-tremendous-suffering/) [Ray Kurzweil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kurzweil/) ## More by George Mikes > [THE British are brave people. They can face anything, except reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/the-british-are-brave-people-they-can-face-anything-except-reality/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) > [The British suffer from a most unfortunate superiority complex - unjustified even under Victoria and most certainly hopelessly out-of-date today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/the-british-suffer-from-a-most-unfortunate-superiority-complex/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) > [Remember that those five hundred words an average Englishman uses are far from being the whole vocabulary of the language. You may learn another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/remember-that-those-five-hundred-words-an-average-englishman-uses-are/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) > [English humor resembles the Loch Ness Monster in that both are famous but there is a strong suspicion that neither exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/english-humor-resembles-the-loch-ness-monster-in-that-both-are-famous/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) > [“In the last century, when a wicked and unworthy subject annoyed the Sultan of Turkey or the Czar of Russia, he had his head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/in-the-last-century-when-a-wicked-and-unworthy-subject-annoyed-the/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) > [“While all this goes on, the English remain staunch believers in equality. Equality is a notion the English have given to humanity. 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It is all right to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/an-average-english-house-combines-all-the-curses-of-civilisation-with/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) > [Australia objects to the mini-skirt not on moral but on economic grounds. Australians are no prudes and the lovely, healthy, sporty Australian girls have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/australia-objects-to-the-mini-skirt-not-on-moral-but-on-economic/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) > [The Art of Conversation could not die in Australia; it never lived. Television did not kill it; there was nothing there to kill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/the-art-of-conversation-could-not-die-in-australia-it-never-lived/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) > [Was he joking? Was he being sarcastic? Aggressive? Impertinent? Or just courteous? There was no telling from his impassive face. What a country, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/was-he-joking-was-he-being-sarcastic-aggressive-impertinent-or-just/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) [Explore all 110 George Mikes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) ## More Citizenship quotes > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [If you don't plan to live the Christian life totally committed to knowing your God and to walking in obedience to Him, then don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-arthur/if-you-don-t-plan-to-live-the-christian-life-totally-committed-to/) [Kay Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-arthur/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [There can be a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act, but why should we shelter someone who has come to India illegally from outside?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raj-thackeray/there-can-be-a-debate-on-the-citizenship-amendment-act-but-why-should/) [Raj Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raj-thackeray/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. 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Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [“Encouraging Robert E. Lee to take a job as college president, "You might be presenting to the world in such a position an example…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-nelson-pendleton/encouraging-robert-e-lee-to-take-a-job-as-college-president-you-might/) William Nelson Pendleton > [“What constitutes an American? Not color nor race nor religion. Not the pedigree of his family nor the place of his birth. Not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ickes/what-constitutes-an-american-not-color-nor-race-nor-religion-not-the/) Harold Ickes > [In an age of interdependence, global citizenship - based on trust and sense of shared responsibility - is a crucial pillar of progress. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/in-an-age-of-interdependence-global-citizenship-based-on-trust-and/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [Strengthening our identity is one way of reinforcing people's confidence and sense of citizenship and well-being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-blunkett/strengthening-our-identity-is-one-way-of-reinforcing-people-s/) [David Blunkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-blunkett/) > [We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/we-are-not-to-simply-bandage-the-wounds-of-victims-beneath-the-wheels/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) [Browse all 793 Citizenship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Before you are admitted to British citizenship you are not even considered a natural human being. 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