Civilized Quote by George Orwell
“As I write, highly civilized human beings are flying overhead, trying to kill me. They do not feel any enmity against me as an individual, nor I against them. They are only 'doing their duty'”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Road to Wigan Pier, 1937 (paraphrased)
He describes being targeted by impersonal forces, highlighting the dehumanizing effect of duty.
In simple terms: He feels attacked by indifferent duty.
Key Takeaway
Beware of blind obedience.
Themes
war
duty
dehumanization
Mood
somber
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military service
- law enforcement
- public safety
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
bureaucracy
moral conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- When does duty become harmful?
- How can individuals retain humanity?
A Different Perspective
Duty can conflict with personal morality.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
