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About this quote

What does it mean?
Orwell expresses doubt about civilization surviving another major war and suggests non-violence as a possible solution.
In plain terms
Another big war might destroy civilization, so peace might be the only way out.
What can you take from it?
Consider non-violence as a necessity for survival.

Where it applies

  • international relations
  • conflict resolution
  • policy making

Putting it to work

  • promote diplomacy
  • invest in peace

Questions to consider

  • Can civilization survive war?
  • Is peace always an option?

Another view

Non-violence may not always deter aggression from authoritarian states.

More from George Orwell

  1. The assumption, which served Gandhi so well in dealing with individuals, that all human beings are more or less approachable and will respond to a generous ges…

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  2. One feels of him that there was much he did not understand, but not that there was anything that he was frightened of saying or thinking. I have never been abl…

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  3. It is difficult to see how Gandhi's methods could be applied in a country where opponents of the regime disappear in the middle of the night and are never hear…

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