George Orwell’s 1984 is filled with unforgettable lines that capture the novel’s themes of surveillance, control, rebellion, and truth. Below are famous quotes from the book 1984 by George Orwell, organized by the novel’s three parts. For each quote, you’ll find the speaker, context, and meaning.
If you want a full breakdown of the novel’s events, see our 1984 Summary and 1984 Symbols and Meanings pages.
Quotes from 1984 (Part One) – Introduction to Oppression and Control
1. “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.”
- Speaker: Party slogan (Inner Party propaganda)
- Context: Introduced early in Part One as the paradoxical motto of the Party.
- Meaning: Shows the manipulation of truth to maintain power and control over thought. For more, read our 1984 Themes guide.
2. “Big Brother is watching you.”
- Speaker: Party slogan / Posters throughout Airstrip One
- Context: Winston first sees this in his apartment building and on propaganda posters.
- Meaning: Symbolizes constant surveillance and the elimination of personal privacy. See also our 1984 Characters page for details on Big Brother’s role.
3. “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four.”
- Speaker: Winston Smith
- Context: Winston’s private definition of personal liberty.
- Meaning: Represents the idea that truth is objective, and resisting false realities is the essence of freedom.
4. “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”
- Speaker: Party slogan / repeated by Winston
- Context: Winston reflects on the Party’s manipulation of historical records.
- Meaning: Emphasizes how controlling information ensures total political dominance.
Quotes from the novel 1984 (Part Two) – Love, Rebellion, and False Hope
5. “If you loved someone, you loved them, and when you had nothing else to give, you still gave them love.”
- Speaker: Winston Smith
- Context: Winston’s deepening relationship with Julia in Part Two.
- Meaning: Suggests love as an act of rebellion in a world devoid of personal bonds. Learn more in our 1984 Julia Character Analysis.
6. “We are the dead.”
- Speaker: Winston Smith (later echoed by Julia)
- Context: After realizing their resistance is futile, Winston and Julia admit their fate.
- Meaning: Foreshadows their eventual capture and defeat by the Party.
7. “If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.”
- Speaker: O’Brien
- Context: During Winston’s conversations with O’Brien before the betrayal.
- Meaning: Reflects the Party’s psychological control, forcing citizens to self-censor even in thought.
8. “We are the priests of power.”
- Speaker: O’Brien
- Context: O’Brien revealing the Party’s philosophy to Winston.
- Meaning: Highlights the Party’s worship of power for its own sake, not ideology.
Quotes from 1984 Book by George Orwell (Part Three) – Torture, Betrayal, and Submission
9. “Reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else.”
- Speaker: O’Brien
- Context: During Winston’s torture in the Ministry of Love.
- Meaning: Demonstrates the Party’s control over perception and reality itself.
10. “We do not merely destroy our enemies; we change them.”
- Speaker: O’Brien
- Context: Explaining the Party’s methods of breaking dissenters.
- Meaning: The Party doesn’t just kill — it forces total psychological submission.
11. “In the face of pain there are no heroes.”
- Speaker: Narration (Winston’s realization)
- Context: Winston’s reflection during torture.
- Meaning: Suggests that physical suffering can override even the strongest ideals.
12. “He loved Big Brother.”
- Speaker: Narration (final line of the book)
- Context: Winston’s final acceptance of the Party after complete brainwashing.
- Meaning: Represents the total erasure of individuality and independent thought.
At the End
These quotes from the novel 1984 reveal Orwell’s warning about unchecked power, truth manipulation, and the fragility of human resistance. By reading them in context, we see how each part of the novel builds toward Winston’s tragic transformation.
FAQs About 1984 Book Quotes
Q1: What is the most famous quote from 1984?
The Party slogan “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” is among the most recognized lines.
Q2: Which 1984 quote shows the theme of surveillance?
“Big Brother is watching you.” directly symbolizes constant government oversight.
Q3: What does “He loved Big Brother” mean?
It shows Winston’s complete mental submission to the Party after torture and re-education.
