"الهدف من الحرب هو خدمة غاية سياسية ولكن الطبيعة الحقيقية للحرب هي خدمة نفسها."

War is fundamentally a tool used to achieve political goals, but once ignited, it often takes on a life of its own. The initial intention might be to resolve a conflict, gain territory, or assert dominance. However, the chaos and momentum of war can make it spiral beyond its original aims—almost as if the war begins to exist for its own sake.

Historically, we’ve seen this play out many times. Take World War I, for instance. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the spark, a political event. Leaders thought the war would be short and decisive. But as alliances were activated and battles dragged on, the conflict took on its own momentum. It became about survival, national pride, and not backing down—way beyond the initial political goals.

Think about a real-life scenario to bring this home. Imagine you're at a company where two departments are competing for resources. The original goal might be simple: get the budget to complete your projects. But as each side begins to strategize, set up meetings, and pull in more colleagues, it becomes less about the budget and more about winning. Meetings are scheduled not because they’re necessary, but because cancelling would seem like a retreat. The initial purpose—getting resources for projects—is overshadowed by the competition itself.

So, how do we apply this wisdom in our lives? The key is to remain focused on the original goal and not get sidetracked by the conflict itself. If you find yourself in a heated debate, ask yourself: What am I trying to achieve here? Is this argument still about solving a problem, or has it become about winning? Keeping the end goal in sight can help you avoid unnecessary escalation.

Here’s a relatable story. Imagine Sarah and Jane, two colleagues working on a big presentation. They start off excited, but soon disagree on the direction. The disagreement grows—each is so focused on proving the other wrong, they forget the main aim: a stellar presentation. Meetings become contentious, and the work suffers. Luckily, their manager steps in, reminds them of the goal, and redirects their energies. They finally work together and deliver a great presentation.

In everyday life, it’s easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment. But next time you find yourself in a conflict, pause and think about what you’re really aiming for. Are you still working toward your original goal, or has the conflict become an end in itself? By keeping your eyes on the prize and not getting lost in the battle, you can navigate challenges more effectively and avoid the pitfalls of letting the conflict take control.

So, next time you’re facing a tough situation, remember the essence of this idea. It’s all about staying focused on the bigger picture. Don’t let the struggle become the point—stay true to your original purpose.