War Doesn't Bring Peace, Understanding Does

"Peace cannot be achieved through violence; it can only be attained through understanding."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

People keep really high hopes to achieve peace for themselves. But, ironically, the efforts they make to achieve it, is through violence. Two completely opposing ideas, one used to attain the other. But does that peace even make sense?

So instead of “War For Peace”, why don’t people try a new idea? Something like “Understanding For Peace”, doesn’t it sound more sensible and meaningful?

For example, even when it is a small conflict among a group of people, they turn to face against each other. This is just like adding oil to the already burning fire. Why not face in the same direction and look at the solution that the conflict can have? That’s what understanding is. And that is just a miniscule, yet effectively taken step towards peace.

So why aren’t these small ideas used in World Peace? To achieve Peace on a larger scale, wouldn’t it be more sensible to look in the same direction for all rather than turning against each other? Wouldn’t it be effective if two conflicting groups come together to sort out their issues for peace rather than to fight for it?

I leave it to you to decide.

-Maitrayi Subhedar
Podar International School
AS Level (Science)