Opinion on an Orwell quote

I am curious as to the Temple's individual opinion on a quote that turns up now and again:

'People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.'- George Orwell

In your opinion, is this quote true, false, irrelevant, kinda true, etc?

As a soldier I may be bias in my opinion, but I say its absolutely true. Those that are sleeping peacefully , may not realize it or ever give it thought,but they are as safe as possibly can be because there are people that are willing to take life from the enemy, and prepared to give there lives to protect perfect strangers.

I personally would give my life if it meant saving even one person. Also I would take a life if it meant saving even just one life. Its not something I ever desire but, if it were necessary I would do it.

Also the quote is tied to Orwell, but he never actually said it word for word. There is a lot of debate on that one. Personql I think it was Richard Grenier.

I don't think it's untrue.
I think people sleep peacefully because they have become really good at fooling themselves.. If anyone realized what that quote is saying, that alone would be cause for not sleeping peacefully. At least, for me..

I believe it's true. People take for granted the safety and security given to them by others.

For example, take the Boston Marathon bombings. I heard several people say in person and saw several social network posts saying essentially the same thing. "I'm gonna thank the next policeman, fireman, EMT, or soldier I see. I'm gonna thank them for what they do."

No. You shouldn't be thankful for someone only when the threat is on your doorstep. You should be thankful that they keep 99% of the threats AWAY from your doorstep. You should be thankful for them all the time, not just when you feel like it. They put their lives on the line every day, and you pay them no mind. If they weren't there to protect you, who would?

Well, in my eyes it's completely true, I mean that is the whole point of the states monopoly of violence. The state uses violence to keep a peacefull ambiance in wich the majority of us live everyday more or less without fear, because the military, intelligence agencies, national security etc. guard us from outside threats, and the police forces guards us from domestic threats.

If you don't quite believe it is, just imagine a day in your city without police. I would definitely not sleep peacefully that night.

Of course one could argue alot about how this fear is missused to vulnerate human rights and so on, but thats not the issue right now.

Malcome Serenity wrote:

No. You shouldn't be thankful for someone only when the threat is on your doorstep. You should be thankful that they keep 99% of the threats AWAY from your doorstep.

Although I agree with you, I also, at the same time must disagree. Part of having that feeling of safety is not dwelling on the fact that there could be danger. If the people that are on the front lines are doing their jobs right then the peaceful sleepier need not think about it. if they can go through life without the fear of being blown up or murdered in their homes then we have done our jobs very well.

Recognition for the sacrifices of others is always appreciated though for sure. Yet just seeing a family playing in the park, care free is just as rewarding.

Just my 2 cents.

It's a good reminder that rough men stand ready to do violence on someone else's behalf, possibly against you!!!

Adder wrote: It's a good reminder that rough men stand ready to do violence on someone else's behalf, possibly against you!!!

good luck.

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I got on a soapbox for a minute, and was going to be a bit controversial...I caught myself...

In the end, the answer I would give is "yes, most people do"

But not all people...