--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The peaceable part of mankind will be…" description: "\"“The peaceable part of mankind will be continually overrun by the vile and abandoned while they neglect the means of self-defence. The supposed quietud..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f1/thomas-paine-267_balance-of-power_the-peaceable-part-of-mankind-will-be-co_1969593.jpg" --- # The peaceable part of mankind will be continually overrun… ![“The peaceable part of mankind will be continually overrun by the vile and abandoned while they neglect the means of self-defence. The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms like laws discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve…” quote by Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f1/thomas-paine-267_balance-of-power_the-peaceable-part-of-mankind-will-be-co_1969593.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f1/thomas-paine-267_balance-of-power_the-peaceable-part-of-mankind-will-be-co_1969593.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f1/thomas-paine-267_balance-of-power_the-peaceable-part-of-mankind-will-be-co_1969593.jpg) > ““The peaceable part of mankind will be continually overrun by the vile and abandoned while they neglect the means of self-defence. The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms like laws discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. The balance of power is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside… Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprived of the use of them; . . . the weak will become prey.”” [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power balance, including arms, deters aggression; without it, the weak become prey. **In simple terms:** Arms maintain balance and protect the weak. Key Takeaway Maintain balanced deterrence. Themes security power balance Mood cautious thoughtful Type philosophical policy-oriented When to use this quote - national defense - law enforcement - conflict prevention Key Concepts political theory deterrence theory Questions to Reflect On - Is total disarmament realistic? - How can societies ensure security without arms? A Different Perspective Disarmament may increase vulnerability for some. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balance of power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance-of-power/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) ## Related quotes > [The balance of power is the scale of peace. 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Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [“Nine-nine of every hundred among you probably desire peace, while the balance may hold war a condition to be preferred; but what can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eden-phillpotts/nine-nine-of-every-hundred-among-you-probably-desire-peace-while-the/) [Eden Phillpotts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eden-phillpotts/) > [“I am at peace and in balance with the vibrational love that is in my world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-a-anderson/i-am-at-peace-and-in-balance-with-the-vibrational-love-that-is-in-my/) [Debbie A. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-a-anderson/) > [“If we hope for any kind of lasting peace or balance during transition, we must go for the root.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ngina-otiende/if-we-hope-for-any-kind-of-lasting-peace-or-balance-during-transition/) [Ngina Otiende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ngina-otiende/) > [True peace is not a balance of opposing forces, and it is not ‘a lovely façade’ simply covering conflicts and divisions. Rather, peace calls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/true-peace-is-not-a-balance-of-opposing-forces-and-it-is-not-a-lovely/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [In this life, we are in a constant search for inner peace. 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