What is the meaning of the following quotation from 1984? "The object of terrorism is terrorism. The object of oppression is oppression. The object...

This quotation explains the philosophy of leadership in Oceania but even more George Orwell's own understanding of authoritarian governments.

Orwell's 1984 was written in reaction to the rise of fascist and authoritarian governments in the twentieth century in Germany, Italy, Spain, and Russia. These movements originally practiced terrorism to gain power and when in power used tools such as oppression, murder, and torture as means of control. They tended to justify such behavior as necessary means to an end.

What this statement argues is that people who murder and torture are not fundamentally good people who act immorally out of necessity, but simply murderers and torturers. Authoritarian governments do not seek power as a means to another end, but because they want power. 

O'Brien, as a member of the Inner Party, understands this and actually exults in it, unlike Winston, who before being tortured believed the propaganda that these immoral acts were simply means to an end.