In Animal Farm, how are Old Major's original commandments a vice?

In chapter one, Old Major gives the animals a number of commandments. Firstly, anything that walks on four legs is a friend, while anything that walks on two legs is an enemy. Secondly, the animals must not adopt the "vices" of man, like sleeping in a bed or wearing clothes. Thirdly, no animal must harm another animal. Finally, all animals are equal.

These commandments could be considered a vice because of their negative portrayal of...

In chapter one, Old Major gives the animals a number of commandments. Firstly, anything that walks on four legs is a friend, while anything that walks on two legs is an enemy. Secondly, the animals must not adopt the "vices" of man, like sleeping in a bed or wearing clothes. Thirdly, no animal must harm another animal. Finally, all animals are equal.

These commandments could be considered a vice because of their negative portrayal of humans. For Old Major, every man is a tyrant, just like Mr. Jones, but this ignores the many humans who demonstrate care and compassion toward animals.

In addition, Old Major does not realize that animals are also capable of tyranny. As we see through the character of Napoleon, for example, some animals are so driven by their own desire for power that they treat their fellow animals as cruelly as any human. Many of the pigs, like Napoleon and Squealer, also consider themselves to be superior to the other animals on the farm.

While Old Major hoped that expelling the humans would bring peace to the animals, it ultimately brought even greater tyranny.