56 Animal Farm Quotes With Page Numbers

Are all animals truly equal, or are some inevitably more equal than others?

George Orwell’s chilling allegory, Animal Farm, uses a simple farmyard rebellion to expose the corrupting nature of power, the manipulation of language, and the fragility of utopia.

From Old Major’s inspiring dream to the pigs’ ruthless takeover and the sheep’s mindless chanting, this collection gathers 56 essential quotes that trace the farm’s descent from liberation to tyranny.

Organized chapter with page numbers, find the words of Napoleon, Snowball, Boxer, Squealer, and the ever-skeptical Benjamin that lay bare the timeless dangers of propaganda and unchecked authority.

*Heads up! Check the note at the end about the specific edition used and why page numbers might hop around.*

Chapter 1: Old Major’s Dream and the Seeds of Rebellion

The wise old boar ignites the animals’ desire for freedom, outlining the injustices of their lives under human rule and introducing the stirring anthem, “Beasts of England.”

“Clover was a stout motherly mare approaching middle life, who had never quite got her figure back after her fourth foal.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Character Introduction (Clover), Chapter 1, Page 4)

“He would say that God had given him a tail to keep the flies off, but that he would sooner have had no tail and no flies.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator about Benjamin, Theme: Character Introduction (Benjamin), Cynicism, Chapter 1, Page 5)

Explore the cynical donkey’s unique perspective: read Benjamin the donkey’s memorable lines.

“Last of all came the cat, who looked round, as usual, for the warmest place, and finally squeezed herself in between Boxer and Clover; there she purred contentedly throughout Major’s speech without listening to a word of what he was saying.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Character Introduction (Cat), Apathy, Chapter 1, Page 6)

“Now, comrades, what is the nature of this life of ours? Let us face it: our lives are miserable, laborious, and short.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Oppression, Call to Action, Chapter 1, Page 6)

Hear the speech that started it all: find Old Major’s key arguments for rebellion.

“There, comrades, is the answer to all our problems. It is summed up in a single word– Man”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Identifying the Enemy, Chapter 1, Page 7)

“Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished forever.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Revolutionary Ideology, Chapter 1, Page 7)

“Man is the only creature that consumes without producing”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Critique of Exploitation, Chapter 1, Pages 7-8)

“Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Critique of Exploitation, Parasitism, Chapter 1, Pages 7-8)

“Never listen when they tell you that Man and the animals have a common interest, that the prosperity of the one is the prosperity of the others. It is all lies. Man serves the interest of no creature except himself.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Class Conflict, Propaganda Warning, Chapter 1, Page 10)

“All men are enemies. All animals are comrades”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Solidarity, Core Tenet, Chapter 1, Page 10)

“Comrades,” he said, “here is a point that must be settled. The wild creatures, such as rats and rabbits–are they our friends or our enemies? Let us put it to the vote… Are rats comrades?” The vote was taken at once, and it was agreed by an overwhelming majority that rats were comrades. There were only four dissentients, the three dogs and the cat, who was afterwards discovered to have voted on both sides.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Establishing Ideology, Hypocrisy, Chapter 1, Page 10)

“Weak or strong, clever or simple, we are all brothers.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Equality, Solidarity, Chapter 1, Page 11)

“All the habits of Man are evil.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Defining the Enemy, Chapter 1, Page 11)

“Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Core Tenet, Simplification, Chapter 1, Page 11)

“And remember also that in fighting against man we must not come to resemble him. Even when you have conquered him, do not adopt his vices.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Old Major, Theme: Warning, Foreshadowing, Chapter 1, Page 11)

“Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland,… Hearken well and spread my tidings Of the golden future time.” *(Condensed for brevity)*

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Song introduced by Old Major, Theme: Hope, Revolutionary Anthem, Chapter 1, Pages 12-13)

The seeds of rebellion are sown, but the path to the “golden future time” proves fraught with complications.

Chapter 2: The Rebellion and the Rise of the Pigs

The animals successfully overthrow Mr. Jones, establishing Animal Farm. The pigs, led by Snowball and Napoleon, quickly assume control, drafting the Seven Commandments.

“Can you not understand that liberty is worth more than just ribbons?”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Snowball to Mollie, Theme: Ideology vs Materialism, Chapter 2, Page 17)

Contrast Snowball’s idealism with Napoleon’s pragmatism: see Snowball’s arguments and plans.

“Some hams hanging in the kitchen were taken out for burial”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Symbolic Rejection of Past, Chapter 2, Page 23)

“The Seven Commandments: 1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy… 7. All animals are equal.” *(Condensed for brevity)*

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Established by The Pigs, Theme: Founding Principles, Equality, Chapter 2, Pages 24-25)

Trace the rise of the pigs’ leader: examine Napoleon’s consolidation of power.

“Never mind the milk, comrades!” cried Napoleon, placing himself in front of the buckets. “That will be attended to. The harvest is more important… Forward, comrades! The hay is waiting.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Napoleon, Theme: Manipulation, Power Seizure, Chapter 2, Page 26)

The initial success of the farm gives way to the pigs solidifying their control and manipulating the other animals.

Chapter 3: Work, Committees, and Missing Milk

The animals work hard, inspired by Boxer’s motto, while the pigs supervise. Snowball forms committees, but the pigs consolidate power, reserving milk and apples for themselves, justified by Squealer’s propaganda.

“His answer to every problem, every setback was “I will work harder!” —which he had adopted as his personal motto.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator about Boxer, Theme: Dedication, Loyalty, Exploitation, Chapter 3, Page 29)

“…And the behaviour of the cat was somewhat peculiar… when there was work to be done the cat could never be found… she always made such excellent excuses, and purred so affectionately, that it was impossible not to believe in her good intentions.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Apathy, Self-Interest, Chapter 3, Page 30)

“Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Benjamin, Theme: Cynicism, Resignation, Chapter 3, Page 30)

“The cat joined the Re-education Committee… She was seen one day sitting on a roof and talking to some sparrows… telling them that all animals were now comrades… but the sparrows kept their distance.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Hypocrisy, False Comradeship, Chapter 3, Page 32)

“The distinguishing mark of man is the hand, the instrument with which he does all his mischief.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Snowball, Theme: Defining the Enemy, Chapter 3, Page 34)

“Four legs good, two legs bad.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Maxim introduced by Snowball, Theme: Simplification, Propaganda, Chapter 3, Page 34)

“As soon as they were weaned, Napoleon took them away from their mothers, saying that he would make himself responsible for their education… kept them in such seclusion that the rest of the farm soon forgot their existence.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator about Napoleon, Theme: Indoctrination, Control, Chapter 3, Pages 34-35)

“Comrades!’ he cried. ‘You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege?… We pigs are brainworkers… It is for your sake that we drink the milk and eat those apples.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Squealer, Theme: Propaganda, Justification, Chapter 3, Pages 35-36)

“Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for YOUR sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. Do you know what would happen if we pigs failed in our duty? Jones would come back! Yes, Jones would come back! Surely, comrades,” cried Squealer almost pleadingly”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Squealer, Theme: Fear Mongering, Propaganda, Chapter 3, Page 36)

The animals face their first external threat as humans attempt to retake the farm.

Chapter 4: The Battle of the Cowshed

Mr. Jones and other farmers attack, but the animals, led by Snowball’s brilliant tactics, successfully defend the farm in a fierce battle, solidifying their initial victory.

“The only good human being is a dead one.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Snowball, Theme: Dehumanization, Wartime Mentality, Chapter 4, Page 43)

“I have no wish to take life, not even human life”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Boxer, Theme: Compassion, Morality, Chapter 4, Page 43)

Internal conflict escalates as Napoleon and Snowball clash over the future of the farm, particularly the windmill project.

Chapter 5: Snowball’s Expulsion and Napoleon’s Rise

Debates over the windmill intensify. Napoleon unleashes his secretly trained dogs, chases Snowball off the farm, abolishes the Meetings, and consolidates absolute power, using Squealer to justify his actions.

“Windmill or no windmill, he said, life would go on as it had always gone on–that is, badly.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Benjamin, Theme: Cynicism, Resignation, Chapter 5, Page 51)

“At this there was a terrible baying sound outside, and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bounding into the barn. They dashed straight for Snowball, who only sprang from his place just in time to escape their snapping jaws.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Violence, Power Grab, Chapter 5, Pages 52-53)

“Several of them would have protested if they could have found the right arguments.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Powerlessness, Lack of Education, Chapter 5, Page 54)

“He announced that from now on the Sunday-morning Meetings would come to an end… all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs, presided over by himself.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator about Napoleon, Theme: Dictatorship, End of Democracy, Chapter 5, Page 54)

“No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Squealer about Napoleon, Theme: Propaganda, Justification of Tyranny, Chapter 5, Page 55)

“I trust that every animal here appreciates the sacrifice that Comrade Napoleon has made… Do not imagine, comrades, that leadership is a pleasure! On the contrary, it is a deep and heavy responsibility…”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Squealer, Theme: Propaganda, Cult of Personality, Chapter 5, Page 55)

Witness the master manipulator at work: analyze Squealer’s persuasive techniques.

“Surely, comrades, you don’t want Jones back?”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Squealer, Theme: Fear Mongering, Propaganda, Chapter 5, Page 56)

The animals begin the arduous task of building the windmill under Napoleon’s increasingly strict regime.

Chapter 6: The Windmill Begins, Trade Initiated

Workload increases, rations are cut (except for pigs/dogs), and Napoleon announces the farm will engage in trade with humans via Mr. Whymper, causing unease among the animals about breaking early resolutions.

“This work was strictly voluntary, but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations reduced by half.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator about Napoleon’s decree, Theme: Coercion, False Choice, Chapter 6, Page 59)

Hardship intensifies, and Napoleon uses Snowball as a scapegoat, culminating in terrifying purges.

Chapter 7: Hardship, Purges, and the End of “Beasts of England”

Facing starvation after the windmill collapses (blamed on Snowball), Napoleon stages brutal public confessions and executions of animals accused of conspiring with Snowball, silencing dissent and abolishing “Beasts of England.”

“And so the tale of confessions and executions went on, until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon’s feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood, which had been unknown there since the expulsion of Jones.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Terror, Purges, Betrayal of Revolution, Chapter 7, Page 84)

“I do not understand it. I would not have believed that such things could happen on our farm. It must be due to some fault in ourselves. The solution, as I see it, is to work harder. From now onwards I shall get up a full hour earlier in the mornings.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Boxer, Theme: Blind Loyalty, Self-Blame, Chapter 7, Page 85)

Consider the tragic dedication of the farm’s strongest worker: reflect on Boxer’s unwavering commitment.

“As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears… this was not what they had aimed at… These scenes of terror and slaughter were not what they had looked forward to… But still, it was not for this that she and all the other animals had hoped and toiled.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator describing Clover’s thoughts, Theme: Disillusionment, Lost Ideals, Chapter 7, Pages 86-87)

“…they had come to a time when no one dared speak his mind, when fierce, growling dogs roamed everywhere, and when you had to watch your comrades torn to pieces after confessing to shocking crimes.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Fear, Oppression, Loss of Freedom, Chapter 7, Page 87)

“Such were her thoughts, though she lacked the words to express them.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator about Clover, Theme: Inarticulacy, Powerlessness, Chapter 7, Page 87)

Napoleon further elevates himself, revising history and dealing treacherously with neighboring farmers.

Chapter 8: The Cult of Napoleon and the Battle of the Windmill

The Sixth Commandment is altered. Napoleon is glorified with titles and poems. He sells timber to Frederick, who pays with forged notes, then attacks and destroys the rebuilt windmill. The animals win a bloody battle but suffer heavy losses.

“Napoleon was now never spoken of simply as “Napoleon.” He was always referred to in formal style as “our Leader, Comrade Napoleon,” and this pigs liked to invent for him such titles as Father of All Animals, Terror of Mankind, Protector of the Sheep-fold, Ducklings’ Friend, and the like.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Cult of Personality, Propaganda, Chapter 8, Page 93)

“It had become usual to give Napoleon the Credit for every Successful achievement and every stroke of good fortune… “thanks to the leadership of Comrade Napoleon, how excellent this water tastes!”…”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator & animals, Theme: Propaganda, Indoctrination, Chapter 8, Page 93)

“Friend of fatherless! Fountain of happiness! Lord of the swill-bucket!… Comrade Napoleon!” *(Condensed poem)*

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Poem by Minimus, Theme: Forced Adoration, Propaganda, Chapter 8, Pages 94-95)

Boxer’s health fails, rations dwindle further, and the pigs engage in more human-like behaviors.

Chapter 9: Boxer’s Fate and Enduring Hardship

Despite worsening conditions, Squealer presents statistics showing improvement. Boxer collapses from overwork and is treacherously sold to the knacker by the pigs, who use the money to buy whisky.

“Up there, comrades,” he would say solemnly… “there it lies, Sugarcandy Mountain, that happy country where we poor animals shall rest for ever from our labours!”… Many of the animals believed him. Their lives now, they reasoned, were hungry and laborious; was it not right and just that a better world should exist somewhere else?”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Moses, Theme: Religion as Opium, False Hope, Chapter 9, Pages 117-118)

Years pass, the farm grows richer but the animals’ lives remain hard, and the pigs become indistinguishable from humans.

Chapter 10: The Full Circle – Pigs Become Men

Most animals who remember the Rebellion are gone. The farm is more prosperous, but only for the pigs and dogs. The pigs begin walking on two legs, carrying whips, and alter the final Commandment. The story ends with the animals unable to tell the difference between the pigs and their human guests.

“The truest happiness, he said, lay in working hard and living frugally.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Narrator quoting Napoleon/Pigs, Theme: Propaganda, Austerity for Workers, Chapter 10, Page 129)

“Somehow it seemed as though the farm had grown richer without making the animals themselves any richer—except, of course, for the pigs and the dogs.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Inequality, Exploitation, Chapter 10, Page 129)

“Only old Benjamin professed to remember every detail of his long life and to know that things never had been, nor ever could be much better or much worse–hunger, hardship, and disappointment being, so he said, the unalterable law of life.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator about Benjamin, Theme: Cynicism, Historical Memory, Chapter 10, Page 130)

“And yet the animals never gave up hope… They were still the only farm in the whole county-in all England!-owned and operated by animals… It might be that their lives were hard and that not all of their hopes had been fulfilled; but they were conscious that they were not as other animals… All animals were equal.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Enduring Hope vs. Reality, Irony, Chapter 10, Pages 131-132)

“…out from the door of the farmhouse came a long file of pigs, all walking on their hind legs… He carried a whip in his trotter… as though at a signal, all the sheep burst out into a tremendous bleating of – “Four legs good, two legs better! Four legs good, two legs better! Four legs good, two legs better!””

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator & Sheep, Theme: Ultimate Betrayal, Propaganda Reversal, Chapter 10, Page 133)

“All Animals Are Equal. But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Final Commandment painted by Pigs, Theme: Hypocrisy, Corruption of Ideals, Chapter 10, Page 134)

See how power corrupts ideals: analyze Animal Farm’s quotes about power.

“Between pigs and human beings there was not and there need not be any clash of interest whatever.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: Napoleon, Theme: Collaboration with Oppressors, Chapter 10, Page 138)

“Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”

~ George Orwell, Animal Farm, (Speaker: The narrator, Theme: Final Irony, Loss of Identity, Chapter 10, Page 141)

The Unalterable Law of Power?

These 56 quotes trace the chilling arc of Animal Farm from hopeful revolution to absolute tyranny. Orwell masterfully uses the animals’ plight to expose how power corrupts, language becomes a weapon, and ideals can be twisted into their opposite.

From Old Major’s dream to Napoleon’s final feast with humans, the novella serves as a stark, enduring warning about the dangers of unchallenged authority and the importance of vigilance in the fight for true equality.

A Note on Page Numbers & Edition:

We carefully sourced these quotes from the **Signet 50th Anniversary paperback edition (April 6, 2004), ISBN-13: 978-0451526342**. Remember, the Seven Commandments might decree equality, but page numbers often rebel against uniformity in different book printings! Always double-check against your own copy for essays or specific citations – don’t let Squealer twist your references!

Cite This Page (MLA):

Mortis, Jeremy. “56 Animal Farm Quotes With Page Numbers.” Ageless Investing, 10 Apr. 2025, agelessinvesting.com/animal-farm-quotes/. Accessed [Date You Accessed].

Cite This Page (APA):

Mortis, J. (2025, April 10). *56 Animal Farm quotes with page numbers*. Ageless Investing. Retrieved [Date You Accessed], from https://agelessinvesting.com/animal-farm-quotes/

Jeremy Mortis

Jeremy Mortis, founder of Ageless Investing, applies a rigorous analytical approach (the SPARK framework) to distill timeless wisdom and contextualized quotes from classic literature, saving you time while deepening understanding. Learn more about Jeremy’s unique background and methodology on his author bio page.