The Essence Of Being Human

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 25 June 2025 English Novelist George Orwell Was Born In Motihari (Bihar) On June 25, 1903. ----- War is everywhere and the air is laden with the stench and miasma of blood, smoke and gun-powder. At this moment, one's reminded of George Orwell's famous statement, "All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting." George Orwell's famous quote suggests that in times of war, people who are not actively participating in the conflict are the ones who are the most vocal in propagating it. This is because those who are fighting are focused on the business of war, while those who are not fighting can more easily lend their energy to publicizing and stirring up war. This phenomenon is as true today as it was when Orwell wrote it, whether it is a political leader's speech encouraging support for a nation at war, or a media outlet framing a conflict in a particular way. It is important to remember the source of these messages, and to look for other perspectives. One of his universally famous quotes is, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." This quote is from George Orwell's 1945 novel Animal Farm, which explores themes of totalitarianism and class inequality in a satirical allegory. In the novel, the phrase 'all animals are equal' is a slogan of the Animal Farm, but the animals quickly learn that this is not really true in practice. The pigs that take control of the farm quickly assert their dominance and establish a social hierarchy, twisting the meaning of the original phrase to become 'all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others'. This phrase serves to illustrate the hypocrisy of the ruling class and the power dynamics that exist between different groups of people. My personal favourite is Orwell, "The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection." This quote speaks to the idea that although humans strive for perfection, perfection is not attainable because it is impossible to achieve. Rather, it is important to recognize that life is full of imperfections and flaws and that these are an integral part of being human. This quote also reminds us that in order to become our best selves, it is important to embrace imperfections and accept them as part of our humanity. It is through these imperfections that we gain insight, wisdom, and growth. We can then use these experiences to continue to improve and grow even further. By understanding that life is a never-ending journey, we can learn to appreciate the beauty in life, despite its imperfections. Remember, a little imperfection enhances the attraction. Flaws could at times be finesse. Actress Mumtaz's pug nose added to her appeal and oomph. A damaged little finger on Meena Kumari's left hand lent a quaint charm to her persona. A couple of actresses in Hindi cinema looked differently beautiful because of a very slight squint. There's nothing so bad that there's not some good in it. Even some imperfections can be charming at times as you have seen in Mumtaz and Meena Kumari's cases. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/essence-being-human/d/135978 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism