Who said “A tragic situation exists precisely when virtue does not triumph but when it is still…”?

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George Orwell. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Lear, Tolstoy and the Fool," Polemic (March 1947)

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“A tragic situation exists precisely when virtue does not triumph but when it is still felt that man is nobler than the forces which destroy him.”
— George Orwell
Verified"Lear, Tolstoy and the Fool," Polemic (March 1947) · evidenceTragedies
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Lear, Tolstoy and the Fool," Polemic (March 1947).

APA

Orwell, G. (n.d.). A tragic situation exists precisely when virtue does not triumph but when it is still felt that man is nobler than the forces which destroy him. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28860-a-tragic-situation-exists-precisely-when-virtue-does/

MLA

Orwell, George. “A tragic situation exists precisely when virtue does not triumph but when it is still felt that man is nobler than the forces which destroy him.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28860-a-tragic-situation-exists-precisely-when-virtue-does/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Orwell, George. “A tragic situation exists precisely when virtue does not triumph but when it is still felt that man is nobler than the forces which destroy him.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28860-a-tragic-situation-exists-precisely-when-virtue-does/.

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