25 Quotes by William Giraldi

This is the real warning of Nineteen Eighty-Four: The danger comes not from our suppressors but from our ovine willingness to be suppressed.

Of course George Orwell was not a saint—he could be unfaithful to his wife and suspicious of democracy, for starters—and it’s a good thing, too, because saints are always hard to take seriously.

By popular definition, no one was less Orwellian than Eric Blair.

To go peacefully in my sleep: that's the understandable wish of many, and I don't dispute the peaceful part. But to die and not be aware of it, not digest what's happening to you, not experience it, not glimpse the narrowed glare of the Reaper? That seems to me a stupendous deprivation and injustice. Next to being born, dying is the most important thing that ever happens to you.

He knew what haunted meant. The dead don’t haunt the living. The living haunt themselves.

Across the open compass behind town, north toward the range, he saw snow-burdened trees bowed like penitents. The morning seemed made of muslin, the sun less than a smudge. The wind came in soughs and shook free a pine scent from trees, then sent snow aloft as mist.

Why is this happening to me, Mr. Core? What myth has come true in my house?” “They’re just hungry wolves, Mrs. Slone. It’s no myth. It’s just hunger. No one’s cursed. Wolves will take kids if they need to. This is simple biology here. Simple nature.” He wanted to say: All myths are true. Every one is the only truth we have.

Most writers deserve the reputation posterity has bestowed upon them: You can’t for long conceal the toxic spots on your character – Philip Larkin is Exhibit A – nor can you conceal your dignity, your humanism, your regard for veracity and freedom.

Of course George Orwell was not a saint – he could be unfaithful to his wife and suspicious of democracy, for starters – and it’s a good thing, too, because saints are always hard to take seriously.