“Those who ‘abjure’ violence can do so only because others are committing violence on their behalf.”
- June 25, 1903 – January 21, 1950
- Born in India during the British colonial period
- Author, journalist
- Through his representative works “1984” and “Animal Farm,” he presented sharp criticism of totalitarianism and the abuse of power, greatly influencing contemporary literature and thought.
Quote
“Those who ‘abjure’ violence can do so only because others are committing violence on their behalf.”
Explanation
In this quote, George Orwell critiques the hypocrisy of those who advocate for nonviolence or peace, yet benefit from the actions of others who use violence to maintain their safety, security, or way of life. Orwell suggests that it is easy for people to renounce violence when they are not personally exposed to its harsh realities and when they rely on others—such as military forces, police, or political systems—to use violence to protect their interests. In this sense, those who publicly reject violence are often able to do so only because they are sheltered by the violent actions of others, and thus, their renunciation is not as pure or self-sacrificial as it might seem.
Orwell’s views on violence and power were shaped by his experiences with political movements, particularly during the Spanish Civil War, where he saw firsthand how different factions used violence in the name of political change. His anti-totalitarian stance, particularly in 1984 and Animal Farm, illustrates his belief that ideologies of both the right and left could justify violence for political gain. Orwell understood that while some people may sincerely advocate for nonviolence, the structures and systems they live in often rely on force or coercion to function, making their positions on violence complex and problematic.
This quote remains relevant in modern contexts, where military interventions, policing, and state violence continue to shape political and social realities. Those who advocate for peace or nonviolence—whether in political discourse, social activism, or everyday life—often do so while benefiting from systems that use force to maintain order and protect their way of life. Orwell’s words serve as a reminder to critically examine the interconnections between violence and power, and to question the moral consistency of those who reject violence while indirectly relying on it to secure their comfort or safety.
