Opinion on an Orwell quote

Desolous wrote: 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?

Sounds like Orwellian double-speak... I sleep peaceably in my bed because I have dogs, guns, and can run really fast if needed. Nobody is standing ready to do violence on my behalf.

The Doublethink is strong with this one .....denouncing both truth and lie yet accepting them at the same time....Hahaha, perhaps Orwell truly wished for the masses to constantly put forth varied opinions upon his quote? I personally am thankful to those who serve overseas for Canada in protection of the rights, liberties and freedoms afforded to the populace at their extent. However, I also feel as though I would consider my sleep peaceful and safe even in a time of conflict at home so long as I could protect those I love. For example, say my future wife was cowering with children, orphans, other folk else it was simply me alone....knowing that I had to hold on for something, for the memory of peace and well-being itself might be enough to help me to sleep at night. Be it fighting on my doorstep or abroad, knowing that others care and are doing their finest every day to secure the safety of those who do not fight is reasuring, yet this reassurance can indeed lead to a false sense of security, I suppose....Kind of a catch 22 scenario, isn't it?

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

I find this interesting because of how others interpret it, and because of how it shows the duality of our own natures.

If I said, “rough men stand ready to do violence.” Many would shrink away and concern themselves with who the violence would be directed towards. Rough men, those people don’t belong I polite society!

“Rough men stand ready to violence on your behalf.” Is that any better? Who wants someone beat-up or worse… killed, on their behalf?

Actions and personality types can easily be overlooked when they are out of site. Or out of mind. And he explains this by saying, “People sleep peaceably in their beds.”

Often times, when we look at something while it is happening or after the fact, people will say it could have been done this way or that didn't “have” to happen. But when we are in the security of our beds, where ever they may be, we feel safe. Why? Because people, some may not approve of, are out doing things others won’t.

I for one sleep well knowing they are there.

I agree. I believe it was Sun Tsu that said in The Art of War...Strive for peace but prepare for war. Unfortunately sometimes violence is necessary. I try to avoid it but always stand ready for it when it happens.

Having got to the soapbox after Jestor, found pieces of controversy lying all about.

Could someone hand me broom, please ?

For me, it is neither a true nor untrue statement, whether it be of Orwell or my aunt Audrey. It is a morbid abstraction ...

Peaceful sleepers and rough men are generic figures one to the other. It is the ideology which inspires the confidence and provokes the violence. So, it is not 'on behalf' of the peaceful sleeper(s) that the violence is done, but the underlying ideology. This is a rather flimsy foundation of trust.

Part of the double-speak paradigm is hiding the underlying ideology and making slogans that nobody can disagree with because it doesn't mean anything. It's like "support our troops"... yeah everyone supports our troops... try saying "support our war" and see what happens.