Adolf-hitler Quote by George Orwell
![“[Hitler] has grasped the falsity of the hedonistic attitude to life. Nearly all western thought since the last war, certainly all “progressive” thought, has assumed tacitly that human beings desire nothing beyond ease, security, and avoidance of pain. In such a view of life there is no room, for…” quote by George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/636/george-orwell-57_adolf-hitler_hitler-has-grasped-the-falsity-of-the-he_1095773.jpg)
““[Hitler] has grasped the falsity of the hedonistic attitude to life. Nearly all western thought since the last war, certainly all “progressive” thought, has assumed tacitly that human beings desire nothing beyond ease, security, and avoidance of pain. In such a view of life there is no room, for instance, for patriotism and the military virtues. Hitler, because in his own joyless mind he feels it with exceptional strength, knows that human beings don’t only want comfort, safety, short working-hours, hygiene, birth-control and, in general, common sense; they also, at least intermittently, want struggle and self-sacrifice, not to mention drums, flag and loyalty-parades ... Whereas Socialism, and even capitalism in a grudging way, have said to people “I offer you a good time,” Hitler has said to them “I offer you struggle, danger and death,” and as a result a whole nation flings itself at his feet””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Lion and the Unicorn” (1941)
Human beings need more than comfort; they also crave struggle, sacrifice, and purpose, which can be exploited by extremist ideologies.
In simple terms: People desire both ease and meaningful challenge.
Key Takeaway
Balance safety with purposeful hardship.
Themes
politics
human nature
ideology
motivation
Mood
thought‑provoking
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- military service
- activism
- career challenges
- personal growth
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you seek challenge for growth or for identity?
- How can societies offer purpose without extremism?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on struggle can glorify violence.
![“[ Said during a debate when his opponent asserted that atheism and belief in evolution lead to Nazism :] Atheism by itself is, of course, not a moral position or a political one of any kind; it simply is the refusal to believe in a supernatural dimension. For you to say of Nazism that it was the…” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bbe/christopher-hitchens-117_adolf-hitler_said-during-a-debate-when-his-opponent-a_991808.jpg)
