“War is a massacre of people who don't know each other for the profit of people who know each other but don't massacre each other.”
What this quote means
Barbusse denounces the absurdity of war: strangers kill each other to serve the interests of those who know each other and stay safe. It's a scathing critique of power and manipulation, which push peoples to hate each other for causes that are not their own.
How to apply it daily
When faced with warlike or nationalist rhetoric, examine who truly benefits. Step back and refuse to demonize the other without evidence.
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