Long run Quote by George Orwell
““If it once became general, wealth would confer no distraction. It was possible no doubt to imagine a society in the sense of personal possessions and luxuries should be evenly distributed while power remained in the hands of a small privileged caste. But in practice, such a society could not long remain stable. For if leisure and security were enjoyed by all alike, the great mass of human beings who are normally stupefied by poverty would become literate and would learn to think for themselves. And when once they had done this they would sooner or later realize that the privileged minority had no function and they would sweep it away. In the long run, a hierarchical society was only possible on a basis of poverty and ignorance. To return to the agricultural past as some thinkers about the beginning of the 20th century dreamed of doing was not a practical solution. It conflicted with the tendency towards mechanization which had become quasi-instinctive throughout almost the whole world, and moreover, any country which remained industrially backward was helpless in a military sense and was bound to be dominated, directly or indirectly by its more advances rivals.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Road to Wigan Pier, George Orwell, 1937
The quote argues that a truly equal society cannot sustain itself because eliminating poverty and ignorance would empower the masses to challenge and overthrow the ruling elite, and that returning to agrarian ways is impractical against industrial and military realities.
In simple terms: Equality threatens hierarchy when everyone becomes educated and self‑reliant.
Recognize the role of knowledge in social stability.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- industrial era
- revolutionary movements
- policy planning
- education reform
- military strategy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does education reshape power dynamics?
- Can industrial societies ever revert to agrarian models?
Idealistic visions ignore practical constraints of technology and defense.