Quote by George Orwell
That the Party did not seek power for its own ends, but only for the good of the majority. That it sought power because men in the mass were frail cowardly creatures who could not endure liberty or face the truth, and must be ruled over and systematically deceived by others who were stronger than themselves. That the choice for mankind lay between freedom and happiness, and that, for the great bulk of mankind, happiness was better.
Summary
This quote highlights the ideology of the Party in George Orwell's novel, "1984." It suggests that the Party's pursuit of power is not motivated by selfish desires, but by a belief that the majority of people are incapable of handling freedom or facing harsh realities. The Party believes that ruling over and deceiving the weaker masses is necessary for maintaining their happiness, as they perceive happiness as more valuable than liberty for most people. This quote sheds light on the Party's paternalistic mindset and justifies their totalitarian control in the name of a supposedly greater good.