There is always inequality in life. Some men are killed in a war

"There is always inequality in life. Some men are killed in a war and some men are wounded and some men never leave the country. Life is unfair." These words, spoken by John F. Kennedy, carry a profound recognition of the inequities woven into the fabric of human existence. It is a truth that cannot be denied, for no matter how much we may strive for equality, life itself seems to carry with it an inherent unevenness—some are touched by fortune, while others are ravaged by misfortune. Kennedy's words remind us that the nature of life is unpredictable, and its fairness is but an illusion we sometimes chase in vain. Fate deals its cards in ways beyond our understanding, and it is the wise who accept this truth, finding strength not in the promise of fairness, but in the resilience to face the inequalities that arise.

Indeed, in every age, men have struggled with the knowledge that life is not fair. Some are born into great wealth, others into poverty. Some are raised in times of peace, others are thrust into the fires of war. These disparities have existed since the dawn of time. Ancient warriors, who marched into battle, knew that their fates were often sealed not by their courage or valor, but by the forces that controlled the outcome of wars—forces that were beyond their personal control. It is said that Homer's Iliad speaks not only of heroic feats but of the capriciousness of fate. Achilles, the great hero of the Greeks, faced his fate on the battlefield, where he could either die young, gloriously, or live long, but fade into obscurity. His destiny, like all others, was not chosen by him. In this, we see the unyielding truth: some are destined for greatness, others for suffering, regardless of their worth.

Consider the soldiers who marched off to fight in the World Wars—men who left their homes, some to return as heroes, others to return broken, and some never to return at all. The inequality of their experiences was not born of their own making. Some were touched by the horrors of battle, some came back wounded, their lives forever altered, and others were left to live their days in quiet peace, never knowing the price of war. The sacrifices made by soldiers are a stark reminder that life is a complex weaving of fate and choice, of effort and chance, where the paths of men are often shaped by forces they cannot control.

History has long borne witness to this inequality—whether in the grand struggles of nations or the personal trials of individuals. Mahatma Gandhi, for example, fought a battle for freedom not with weapons, but with the power of non-violence. He succeeded in freeing his people from British rule, but at great cost—his health, his time, and the ultimate sacrifice of his life. Yet, for every hero like Gandhi, there are many whose battles remain hidden or unresolved. The inequality of life is not only in the visible victories but also in the struggles that go unnoticed, the silent battles fought in the hearts of those who cannot find their way out of suffering.

The lesson in Kennedy's words is a difficult one to accept, yet it is crucial for our own growth. Life is not a straightforward journey. It is a series of twists and turns, a dance between fortune and fate, where sometimes we are graced with blessings, and other times, we are struck by hardships. The wise are not those who fight against the unfairness of life but those who accept it with courage and strength. Acceptance of life’s inherent inequality frees us from the bitter grip of resentment, allowing us to live fully, despite the challenges we face. When we accept that life is unfair, we stop longing for a perfect world and begin to live in the one we have, making the most of what is before us.

In your own life, recognize that not all will be fair. The path you walk may be lined with challenges that others do not face, or you may find yourself surrounded by blessings others can only dream of. But let neither sorrow nor pride take root in your heart. Instead, live with the awareness that the only true control we have is how we respond to life’s inequalities. The quality of your life is not defined by the fairness of the world, but by the strength and resilience with which you meet each day. Like the heroes of the ancient myths, who were often shaped by their struggles and fates, you too can shape your destiny not by seeking fairness, but by meeting the challenges of life with honor, courage, and wisdom. In this way, you will find the strength to endure, and perhaps even to triumph, in a world that is rarely fair but always full of potential.