“The clatter of arms drowns the voice of law”
— Michel de Montaigne
Simplified Meaning:
When there is a lot of fighting or conflict, the rules and laws that normally guide people's behavior get ignored. Imagine a neighborhood where kids usually play together nicely, following rules like taking turns. But if a big argument breaks out and everyone starts pushing and shouting, those rules are forgotten, and chaos takes over. Similarly, in times of war or battles, the focus shifts to fighting, and the legal or moral guidelines that usually help keep things fair and orderly get drowned out by the noise of violence. This idea suggests that in order to ensure justice and keep order in society, peace and calm are essential. For example, during a war, military commands often take precedence over courtroom decisions and democratic processes, making it hard to uphold justice. To avoid this, promoting peaceful negotiation and dialogue can help keep the focus on law and fairness, rather than letting conflict overshadow them.
