George Orwell, "Politics vs. Literature: An Examination of Gulliver's Travels," Polemic (September/October 1946) - Full text online.
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In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law.
— George Orwell on Public opinion
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "In a Society in which there is no law, and in theory no compulsion, the only arbiter of behaviour is public opinion. But public opinion, because of the tremendous urge to conformity in gregarious animals, is less tolerant than any system of law." in the context of "George Orwell, "Politics vs. Literature: An Examination of Gulliver's Travels," Polemic (September/October 1946) - Full text online." to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Public opinion" (O)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 28, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About George Orwell
George Orwell (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950) was the pen name of British novelist, essayist, and journalist Eric Arthur Blair, whose work is characterised by lucid prose, awareness of social injustice, opposition to totalitarianism, and strong support of democratic socialism.
About George Orwell
George Orwell (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950) was the pen name of British novelist, essayist, and journalist Eric Arthur Blair, whose work is characterised by lucid prose, awareness of social injustice, opposition to totalitarianism, and strong support of democratic socialism.
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