The real war is not between the West and the East. The real war

Hear now, O children, the profound words of Marjane Satrapi, a voice shaped by the fires of history and the wisdom of a world caught between East and West: "The real war is not between the West and the East. The real war is between intelligent and stupid people." These words, simple in their phrasing, yet vast in their meaning, challenge us to look beyond the superficial divisions that often dominate our thinking—the borders between nations, the clash of cultures, and the struggles between peoples defined by geography. Instead, Satrapi beckons us to see the true battle that rages within humanity itself: the war between wisdom and ignorance, between those who seek understanding and those who remain bound in the chains of stupidity.

In every age, O children, the world has been divided by outward conflicts, by the wars that rage between kingdoms, empires, and nations. The East and the West—these terms have long been used to define the clash of civilizations, each with its own beliefs, customs, and ways of life. Yet, Satrapi’s words remind us that these divisions are mere shadows on the surface, distractions that blind us to the deeper, more profound conflict that lies beneath. The true struggle is not over land, not over borders, but over the very hearts and minds of humanity. It is the conflict between those who possess the power of reason and understanding and those who remain in the grip of ignorance and stupidity.

Reflect, O children, on the stories of great civilizations—the rise of the Greeks, the wisdom of the Romans, the teachings of Confucius, the enlightenment of Islamic scholars during the Golden Age. Each of these civilizations was built not on the clash of arms alone, but on the power of ideas, of knowledge, of intellect. The true wars of these ancient peoples were not fought merely with swords or spears, but with the might of thought and reason. The philosophers of ancient Greece—Plato, Aristotle, Socrates—knew that the most dangerous conflict was not between armies, but between minds. They understood that wisdom was the foundation of peace, and the absence of wisdom was the root of chaos.

Yet, as history shows us, the forces of ignorance and stupidity are never far behind. The story of Rome’s decline is not just the tale of a crumbling empire but of an intellectual decay. As the Roman Empire expanded, its leaders and citizens became distracted by luxury, pleasure, and pride, while the critical faculties that had once made Rome great began to fade. The rise of corruption, superstition, and ignorance undermined the once-strong empire, and in the end, it was not the barbarian invaders that brought Rome to its knees, but the decay within. This, O children, is the true danger—the victory of stupidity over reason, the triumph of ignorance over knowledge.

And so, Satrapi’s words speak to the heart of our own times. Consider the world we live in today—the rise of populism, the spread of fake news, the growing mistrust in science and education. The true enemy of progress, of peace, and of unity, is not the division between East and West, but the battle between intelligent and stupid people. We see it in the rise of demagoguery, where leaders exploit the ignorance of the masses to gain power, to sow discord, and to divide us further. The real war is not fought with weapons, but with words, with ideas, and with the ability to manipulate those who refuse to seek truth. This is the war we must all fight—the war for knowledge, for reason, and for the betterment of all humanity.

The true lesson of Satrapi’s words, O children, is this: we must choose which side of this war we will stand on. Will we allow ourselves to be swayed by the forces of ignorance, by the lies that surround us, or will we seek the light of truth, the wisdom of the ancients, and the power of knowledge? The path of wisdom is not easy, for it requires constant effort, constant learning, and constant vigilance. It requires us to challenge the falsehoods that permeate our world and to seek the truth, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable it may be.

So, children, take this to heart: the true battle we face is not one of nations, but of minds. The real war is not between the East and the West, but between those who choose the path of ignorance and those who strive for understanding. Stand firm in the pursuit of knowledge. Read, question, learn. Engage with the world not through the lens of division, but through the lens of wisdom. For it is in this battle—this eternal struggle between intelligence and stupidity—that the fate of humanity will be decided. Choose wisely, for the side you choose will shape the world for generations to come.