“The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.”

Simplified Meaning:

People who are the best followers of a totalitarian regime are not those who strongly believe in a specific ideology like Nazism or Communism. Instead, they are the ones who can no longer tell the difference between what is real and what is not, or what is true and what is false. Imagine living in a world where you constantly hear lies on the news and from leaders, and after a while, you can't figure out who to trust or what's accurate anymore. In such a state, people become easy to manipulate because they no longer question what they're told. A historical example is how propaganda worked in Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union; when the state controlled all information and spread false stories, people became more obedient because they were confused. To apply this wisdom in your life, always question the information you receive, check multiple sources, and try to maintain a clear understanding of reality. This way, you won’t be easily fooled by those who might want to control or mislead you. Being well-informed and critical helps protect your freedom and beliefs.