Aldous Huxley Quote

"A really efficient totalitarian state would be one in which the all-powerful executive of political bosses and their army of managers control a population of slaves who do not have to be coerced, because they love their servitude. To make them love it is the task assigned, in present-day totalitarian states, to ministries of propaganda, newspaper editors and schoolteachers.... The greatest triumphs of propaganda have been accomplished, not by doing something, but by refraining from doing. Great is truth, but still greater, from a practical point of view, is silence about truth."

by:	Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) English writer, novelist, philosopher
Source:	forward to Brave New World, 1946 edition
Rating:
Categories:	Authority, Censorship, Education, Press, Propaganda, Servitude, Totalitarian, Truth
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A great quote and commentary on totalitarianism.Great is Truth.Amen.  -- Me Again      4
-- jim k, austin,tx
Aldous Huxley was perhaps a greater visionary of the future than George Orwell. People will volunteer to be slaves if they have bread (well, maybe Doritos) and circuses (and a HD plasma TV to watch them on). The only thing missing so far is actually identifying the alphas, betas, gammas, deltas, and epsilons by having them wear different colored coveralls, but we all know who they are anyway.  -- Ken, Allyn, WA      5
The Huxley's - Wow, what a family, especially his brother Julian. To have been alive then and to have met so many great writers and artists must have been a real trip (LSD). Brave New World reminds me of the American Robert Ardrey and his book Territorial Imperative. Yes, this is a great quote and one of many from such a celebrated humanist. It seems sad that most are no longer with us but their memories and writings remain and will always inflame the ambers of our imagination - all of them are a part of me. Who out there is able to summarize this great period in thought and literature? Perhaps Gore Vidal...  -- RobertSRQ      1
Does no one remember that Huxley was talking about US, about what we were becoming, not some distant totalitarian state?  -- Joe, North Caldwell, NJ      2
A good description of undemocratic modern corporations but not of democratic governments who are always throwing the bums out.  -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas      4
Corporations? What planet are you from Waffler? This is the socialist utopia he is talking about. Not corporations or democracy.  -- warren, olathe      2
It floors me that people think this man was "great" what he was talking about was a slavery so complete that people dont even know they are in it. He said it so freely because he knew the idiots would never figure out that this wasnt just some quote, it was the PLAN and its already been put into force. None of the intellectuals bother to notice that he never says he would subject himself or his brood to it. this cage is for US. ugh why are the profane so dang profane?????????  -- hap, chicago      1
A great quote from an exceptional talent. "Brave New World" had to suggest that he was thinking of the USA. Whether he was advocating or warning, I believe it was the latter. As we look around today, we know he has the newspaper editors and a mad mix of other media. Teachers and education may be falling into line without being aware. A real effort was being made to improve the reading skills, but standardized testing is producing 'teaching for the test.' I love the stats from my local school 'system.' They proudly proclaim that 55% are reading at or above grade level. 45% not meeting even the grade level approach is failure. I'm glad I'm as old as I am. I am not overly optimistic for our future. I can only pray that I am wrong.  -- J. B. Wulff, Bristol, CT      1
"a slavery so complete that people dont even know they are in it"--Don't ALL organisms have the tendency to accept ease at the price of slavery? This enslavement comes in the guise of convenience. "We have given our hearts away" (Wordsworth) for convenience. Fight convenience at every turn.  -- Byron, Fort Collins, CO      4
To make them love it is the task assigned,...and we call them Liberals today. Maleable, weak minded, easily programmed, "liberals". Sadly though, there are too many that follow the Neo-Con agenda as though it were gospel as well. We need to re-introduce morality, self reliance and nobility into American culture...  -- J Carlton, Calgary      5
Welcome to Amerika.  -- Mike, Norwalk      1
Brilliant!! They never got me to love my servitude, though, but it wasn't from a lack of trying. This quote fits Waffler to a tee. Domesticated animals do not know they are domesticated, and those that love their masters have a better chance of being kept on the farm instead of being sent to the glue factory.  -- E Archer, NYC      4
Interesting analogy Archer...you say "Glue Factory...and my first thought was "FEMA Camp"  -- J Carlton, Calgary      4
Isn't it great to know that things are no worse today, or maybe they are better, than they were in 1266, or 1946, or 1985.  -- Waffler, Smith      3
I don't remember there being a Patriot Act in any of those years Waffler. No it's not great and we''re much MUCH worse off now. Especially with the Federal Reserve Globalists "openly" destroying our nation and our economy. What planet were you talking about anyway?  -- J Carlton, Calgary      3
Bravo ¡ it was true during Huxley´s time and is true today.. just look to Venezuela now and you will see this quote in action !  -- luis, caracas      2
Walking through the woods one afternoon, coming down off the hill, I spied a forgotten harbor. And there it sat, no finer a ship of design had I ever seen. Very stately and sea worthy No Doubt. Now is time to Right that Ship, our Ship of State. The Spirit of Liberty. There are those, who watch, waiting for the crew to get aboard. Nothing better than to clear the decks from clutter, gear stowed away, Stores are in check waiting for the Day. The crew having been ashore far to long, After a day or so they'll get their sea legs back. We set sail at first light.  -- Ronw13, Oregon      2
Amazing how far the totalitarian agenda has advanced in just 70 years under the guise of progressivism. This quote should be printed on the back of our dollar bill--and on every food stamp that Big Brother issues.  -- Jean L., Dover, NH      2
Huxley was in charge of MKUltra.  -- Anonymous, Toronto

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