Fahrenheit 451

Beatty means that they (Montag, Beatty, and the other firemen) burn the things that cause people stress..... they remove theory, thought, and critical thinking from the world. Their job insures the happiness of the masses.

Beatty got up. "I must be going. Lecture's over. I hope I've clarified things. The important thing for you to remember, Montag, is we're the Happiness Boys, the Dixie Duo, you and I and the others. We stand against the small tide of those who want to make everyone unhappy with conflicting theory and thought. We have our fingers in the dyke. Hold steady. Don't let the torrent of melancholy and drear philosophy drown our world. We depend on you. I don't think you realize how important you are, to our happy world as it stands now."