Class-division Quote by George Orwell
““To these people the war is simply a continuous calamity which sweeps to and fro over their bodies like a tidal wave. Which side is winning is a matter of complete indifference to them. They are aware that a change of overlordship means simply that they will be doing the same work as before for new masters who treat them in the same manner as the old ones.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Notes on Nationalism”, 1945
Ordinary people endure war indifferent to who wins, focusing only on survival under any ruler.
In simple terms: People are indifferent to war outcomes, caring only about their own lives.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the human cost of abstract conflicts.
Themes
war
indifference
survival
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
political
humanitarian
When to use this quote
- civilian life
- occupation
- resistance movements
Key Concepts
political theory
human experience
Questions to Reflect On
- How does indifference affect resistance?
- What drives people to care about war outcomes?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex motivations.
![“They [politicians] have defined the war simply in terms of the detonation of explosives. When you look at the broader picture, America is mired in two wars that we're losing at the moment. We have a political environment that is as poisonous as anything I've seen, at least since the end of Vietnam.” quote by Michael Scheuer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e74/michael-scheuer-7471_america_they-politicians-have-defined-the-war-si_1405695.jpg)
