"جنگ‌ها هرگز به کسی آسیب نزده‌اند جز افرادی که می‌میرند"

Wars, by their very nature, wreak havoc on societies and individuals alike. The core message here is painfully simple: the true victims of war are those who lose their lives. But let’s dig deeper. When we say that only the dead are hurt by war, it’s a stark, almost brutal reminder of the ultimate cost of conflict. The dead can't feel pain anymore, but they pay the highest price. Their lives, dreams, and potentials are snuffed out.

To understand why someone might say this, it's helpful to think about the historical context. Wars have been a part of human history for centuries, causing immeasurable suffering. The sheer number of lives lost in conflicts like the World Wars, the Vietnam War, and more recent ones like in Iraq and Afghanistan is staggering. These deaths represent not just numbers, but entire worlds of relationships, aspirations, and contributions to society.

Now, picture this: you're a soldier in World War I, trench warfare all around you. The conditions are horrific—mud, rats, constant threat of death. You see your friends fall one by one. For those who survive, the trauma lingers long after the guns fall silent. But the ones who die? They escape this ongoing agony. In a twisted way, you could say they’re spared the lingering pain. The living are left to mourn, to deal with injuries, PTSD, and the loss of those they loved deeply.

So how do we apply this wisdom in our everyday lives? First, we need to recognize the real and present costs of conflict. It’s easy to think of war in abstract terms, especially if we’re not directly involved. But every news story about a distant conflict represents real people’s lives. Practically, we can support policies and initiatives that aim for peace and conflict resolution. It’s also important to offer support to veterans and families who’ve lost loved ones in war. Their pain is real and ongoing.

Imagine you're sitting with your grandfather who fought in a war. He doesn’t talk about it much, but one evening, he opens up. He tells you about a friend he lost in battle, someone full of life and promise. The story hits you hard. You start to see war not as a chapter in a history book, but as a series of personal tragedies.

In conversation with friends, you might bring this up the next time someone talks about war like it’s a distant thing. Remind them of the human cost. Share stories of those who’ve sacrificed everything, and the families left to pick up the pieces. It’s about humanizing what often feels inhuman.

By keeping these stories alive, by remembering the real costs, we can foster a culture that values peace. It’s not about being naïve—it’s about being deeply aware of what’s truly at stake. So next time you hear the drums of war, think about those who’ve paid the ultimate price. And maybe, just maybe, we can steer the conversation toward paths that honor their memory by striving for peace, understanding, and reconciliation.