Orwell, George — Nineteen eighty-four [268]

Tacitly the Party was even inclined to encourage prostitution, as an outlet for instincts which could not be altogether suppressed. Mere debauchery did not matter very much, so long as it was furtive and joyless, and only involved the women of a submerged and despised class. The unforgivable crime was promiscuity between Party members. — Orwell, George, Nineteen eighty-four, 268

Note

The precise calibration of what the Party tolerates versus forbids — an economic release valve that keeps instinct from festering into loyalty. ‘Furtive and joyless’ is exact; pleasure itself is what’s criminal, not the act.