"Car il ne peut jamais être que la guerre préserve la vie et que la paix la détruise."

This quote is really getting at the heart of a fundamental truth: war and peace have completely opposite impacts on human life. War, by its very nature, brings destruction, suffering, and death. Peace, on the other hand, fosters growth, safety, and the preservation of life. No matter how you spin it, war can't be a means to save life, and peace can't be a cause of its destruction.

So, where does this idea come from? Well, it resonates with centuries of history and countless personal stories. Imagine the ravages of World War II. The entire world was plunged into chaos. Cities were bombed to rubble, millions of lives were lost, and societies were torn apart. People starved, families were separated, and the very fabric of daily life was shredded. In contrast, think about the period after that war ended. Countries rebuilt, economies grew, and people could finally breathe and live without the constant fear of death around every corner.

Let's talk about a real-life example. Think of post-genocide Rwanda. After the horrific events of 1994, Rwanda was in ruins. The genocide had claimed around 800,000 lives. But as peace began to take hold, the country gradually started to heal. Efforts were made for reconciliation, infrastructure was rebuilt, and today Rwanda is often highlighted as an example of impressive growth and development in Africa. The shift from a state of war to a state of peace transformed the nation from a place of death and destruction to one of life and progress.

How do you take this wisdom and apply it in your own life? Start with the small battles we all face daily. Instead of approaching conflicts with aggression or hostility, try to find peaceful resolutions. If you can avoid the “wars” in your personal relationships or workplace, you’ll find that life becomes much more harmonious and constructive. It’s about choosing dialogue over argument, understanding over judgment, and reconciliation over retaliation.

Let’s make this even more relatable. Imagine a heated argument with your best friend. You're both stubborn, and things get ugly fast. You shout, they shout—nothing gets solved. The friendship feels like it's on the brink. Now, imagine taking a step back. What if you chose to approach the situation with a mindset of peace? Instead of fueling the fire, you acknowledge your friend's feelings, apologize for any hurt you may have caused, and calmly explain your perspective. You work to understand each other rather than defeat each other. The friendship, in this case, is preserved and even strengthened.

In essence, this quote isn’t just a lofty idea—it's a practical, everyday truth. War and peace are extremes that we experience in our lives in various forms. By recognizing the destructive nature of conflict and the life-preserving power of peace, we can make choices that build our lives and communities up rather than tearing them down. So, next time you find yourself in conflict, think about whether you're choosing war or peace, and remember which one truly preserves life.