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About this quote

What does it mean?
Individuals seldom benefit from conflict, while state entities often emerge intact or stronger.
In plain terms
Ordinary people lose in wars, but governments usually survive them.
What can you take from it?
Consider who truly benefits when conflict arises.

Where it applies

  • political commentary
  • social justice
  • history

Putting it to work

  • analyze war impacts
  • critique policy

Questions to consider

  • Who pays the price of conflict?
  • How do states profit from war?

Another view

Not all wars leave governments unchanged.

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