What Were The Seven Commandments In Animal Farm

The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm: A Complete Guide to Orwell's Political Allegory

George Orwell's Animal Farm stands as one of the most powerful political allegories ever written, and at the heart of this masterpiece lies the Seven Commandments—a set of laws that govern the newly established animal society after the overthrow of Farmer Jones. These commandments represent much more than simple farm rules; they embody the ideals of the Russian Revolution and subsequently demonstrate how those ideals become corrupted by power. Understanding the Seven Commandments is essential to grasping the novel's critique of totalitarianism and the betrayal of revolutionary principles.

The Original Seven Commandments

After the animals successfully expel the humans from Manor Farm in what becomes known as the "Battle of the Cowshed," the pigs—being the most intelligent animals—take on the responsibility of formulating the principles that will guide their new society. These laws are painted on the side of the big barn in large white letters, visible to all animals at all times. The original Seven Commandments established by the pigs are:

1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal.

These laws appear fair and reasonable at first glance. Think about it: they establish a clear distinction between the oppressive humans and the united animals, while also promoting equality and non-violence among the farm's inhabitants. The most famous of these principles is the seventh commandment: "All animals are equal"—a phrase that would become increasingly ironic as the story progresses.

The Significance of the Seven Commandments

The commandments serve multiple symbolic purposes within Orwell's narrative. And first and foremost, they represent the founding ideals of the animal revolution—the promise of a society where no creature would exploit another, where all would work according to their abilities and receive according to their needs. These principles reflect the utopian goals that often accompany revolutionary movements, whether in Orwell's fictional farm or in real-world political upheavals.

The commandments also function as a moral compass for the other animals. Since most of the farm animals cannot read or think as deeply as the pigs, these written laws serve as the ultimate authority on what is right and wrong. When conflicts arise or questions of behavior surface, the animals need only consult the barn wall to find their answer—or so they believe.

Beyond that, the commandments symbolize the contract between the ruling class and the ruled. In a democratic or fair society, laws apply equally to everyone. The pigs position themselves as the interpreters and enforcers of these rules, which immediately gives them power beyond what the other animals possess. This dynamic mirrors how totalitarian regimes often use ideology to control populations while exempting themselves from the same restrictions.

The Gradual Erosion of the Commandments

What makes Animal Farm such a devastating critique of authoritarianism is how systematically the pigs erode the Seven Commandments throughout the novel. This process occurs so gradually that most animals barely notice the changes, which is precisely Orwell's point about how tyranny often advances through incremental compromises rather than sudden seizures of power.

The first major modification happens when the pigs move into the farmhouse. Despite the fourth commandment explicitly stating that "No animal shall sleep in a bed," the pigs argue that they need to use the beds in the house to serve as their headquarters. Squealer, Napoleon's propaganda minister, convinces the other animals that this exception is necessary, adding the crucial modification: "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets." This seemingly small change establishes a dangerous precedent—the idea that the pigs can reinterpret the commandments whenever they deem it appropriate.

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The pattern continues with other commandments. In practice, when the pigs discover a supply of alcohol in the farmhouse cellar, they initially worry about violating the fifth commandment. On the flip side, after a few days, Squealer announces that the pigs have discovered that the real problem was not alcohol itself but rather the quality of alcohol. The new interpretation becomes: "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess." Later, when Napoleon takes to drinking heavily, this restriction disappears entirely.

The Most Erosion: "No Animal Shall Kill Any Other Animal"

The sixth commandment undergoes perhaps the most disturbing transformation. When Napoleon orders the execution of several animals who have allegedly confessed to conspiring with Snowball, the other animals are horrified. They remember clearly that the commandments prohibit killing. Still, Squealer once again provides the necessary spin: the original wording was incorrect. The true commandment, he claims, was "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause." Since these executions were carried out in defense of the farm against traitors, they were entirely justified.

This moment represents a critical turning point in the novel. The pigs have now demonstrated that they can justify murder in the name of the state—a hallmark of totalitarian regimes that use fear and violence to maintain control. The other animals cannot challenge this interpretation because they cannot read the original commandments for themselves, and those who might remember them clearly are either dead or too frightened to speak up.

The Final Corruption: The Ultimate Commandment

The most devastating moment comes when the pigs hold a celebratory dinner after successfully negotiating a trade agreement with neighboring farms. The humans have been invited to the farmhouse, and the pigs are now walking on two legs, wearing clothes, and carrying whips—direct violations of the first, third, and fourth commandments. When Clover, one of the older and more loyal horses, tries to remember the exact wording of the laws, she looks at the barn wall and sees that the Seven Commandments have been reduced to a single statement:

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

This final transformation encapsulates the entire trajectory of the novel. But the pigs now openly declare what they have believed all along—that they are superior to the other animals and entitled to special privileges. Now, the revolutionary ideal of equality has been completely inverted. The original seven principles that were meant to ensure fairness and prevent exploitation have been twisted into a justification for the very oppression they were designed to prevent.

Why the Seven Commandments Matter

Orwell's portrayal of the Seven Commandments serves as a powerful metaphor for how revolutionary ideals become corrupted over time. Still, in the context of the Russian Revolution, the commandments represent the original socialist vision of equality and justice for all. The pigs' gradual modification of these laws mirrors the way Stalin and his followers betrayed Lenin's original ideals, consolidating power and privileges for themselves while oppressing the very people the revolution was supposed to liberate.

The commandments also speak to broader themes of language, propaganda, and manipulation. The pigs' ability to change the laws so naturally demonstrates how those in power can control reality by controlling language. By redefining words like "equality," "justice," and even the commandments themselves, the pigs create a reality where anything they do appears justified—even when it directly contradicts their original promises.

For readers today, the Seven Commandments remain profoundly relevant. They remind us to be vigilant about how those in power interpret and apply rules, to question authority when exceptions are made, and to remember that the true test of any political system is whether its principles are applied equally to everyone, including those who hold the most power.

Conclusion

The Seven Commandments in Animal Farm begin as noble ideals meant to create a fair and just society, but they ultimately become tools of oppression in the hands of the pigs. Through the gradual erosion of these principles, George Orwell delivers a scathing critique of totalitarianism and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. Also, the journey from seven detailed laws to a single, contradictory phrase—"some animals are more equal than others"—captures the tragedy of how power corrupts and how language can be weaponized to serve those who already hold too much control. The Seven Commandments stand as a timeless warning about the fragility of freedom and the constant vigilance required to preserve it.