"وقتی ثروتمندان جنگ به راه می‌اندازند، این فقرا هستند که می‌میرند"

The core idea here is that when those in power, typically wealthy individuals or nations, decide to go to war, it's usually the ordinary people who suffer the most. The wealthy can often protect themselves and their interests, while the poorer folks end up being the ones on the front lines or caught in the crossfire.

This sentiment has echoed through history countless times. Take World War I, for instance. Leaders and monarchs in their opulent palaces made decisions that sent millions of young men from working-class families into trenches where they faced unspeakable horrors. The wealthy industrialists and politicians who orchestrated these conflicts rarely saw the battlefield. Instead, they profited from war contracts and stayed safe, far from the bombs and bullets.

To make this more relatable, let's dive into a real-world scenario. Think about the Iraq War. While politicians and wealthy corporate interests debated strategies and signed contracts, it was the young soldiers, many from middle or lower-income backgrounds, who went to fight. These soldiers faced the physical and psychological tolls of combat. Meanwhile, defense contractors reaped enormous profits—companies like Halliburton made billions from contracts related to the war. The disparity is glaring: the monetary benefits for a few, the life-and-death stakes for many.

So, how can we apply this wisdom in our lives? First, stay informed and critical of the motives behind conflicts. It's easy to get swept up in patriotic fervor or media narratives, but digging deeper can reveal who stands to gain and who stands to lose. Second, advocate for policies that prioritize diplomacy and peaceful solutions over military action. Lastly, support veterans and their families; they often bear the brunt of war's long-term impacts.

Imagine you're sitting in a cozy café, chatting with a friend. Your friend tells you about their grandfather who served in Vietnam. He was from a small town, didn't have much—joined the military because it seemed like the best option. He saw things nobody should have to see and came back different. Meanwhile, some corporations and politicians were making decisions that led to the conflict, and they were doing just fine, maybe even better than before.

This conversation makes it clear. Wars often headline the names of powerful leaders and nations, but the narrative lived by those who fight is intensely personal and frequently tragic. It’s the story of the everyday person—someone's parent, sibling, friend—who endures the true costs of war. They return home, changed forever, bearing a burden that those who initiated the conflict may never understand.

As you think about this, it's a stark reminder that our advocacy for peace is not just a grand moral stance but a deeply humanistic one. It's about recognizing and valuing the lives of those who might otherwise become mere statistics in a war game played by the powerful. Let's not forget their stories. By doing so, we honor their sacrifices and work towards a future where decisions are made with the well-being of all in mind, not just the privileged few.