Begging Quote by George Orwell
“In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible... Thus, political language has to consist largely of euphemism, question-begging, and sheer cloudy vagueness... Political language [is] designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Politics and the English Language, 1946
Political language uses vague, euphemistic terms to disguise truth and make immoral actions seem acceptable.
In simple terms: Euphemisms hide truth in politics.
Scrutinize political rhetoric critically.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political speeches
- media analysis
- public debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What words conceal political realities?
- How can citizens demand clearer language?
Euphemisms can be persuasive but also misleading.