All Life Is Conflict
All life is conflict; there is no peace this side of the grave.
— jonolan
All living things are in a state of conflict with other living things. Even plants struggle against each other for sunlight, water and soil. The natural cycle of predation is a very basic and primal example of the constant struggle between lifeforms for their very survival.
There is also the even more basic struggle the living engage in with their environment. The old adage of “adapt or die” is a perfect summation of this struggle to adapt to changing conditions that are at odds with a creature’s or plant’s continued survival.
Among people these primal conflicts are often expanded into conflicts over wealth, status and power. No longer just a struggle for survival, the conflict turned into wars of ideologies as Man grew to think beyond his immediate fleshly needs.
Finally there is Man’s internal conflict – his struggle with himself. The unrelenting struggle Man engages in with himself will outlast all other forms of conflict that he engages in and will continue until death.
Tags: Philosophy | Sayings | Society
April 30th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I’m reminded of a verse in Romans – For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. (Ch7 v19), do I do what I know is right or do I do what is easier?
This is a very thought-provoking post, thanks 😉
April 30th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Ah yes, Romans 7:14-20
An apt example of the constant conflict that exists within the hearts and minds of people.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Thought-provoking, Jonolan, as always, and…an acute observation of the world. Something I’ve been wrestling with the past few days…the internal struggle…that passage hits too close to home. But also thinking lately about the struggle against fear. Thinking of the inherent fear that rises when I’m first taking off or landing within a plane…Jesus says there is a peace that passes all understanding and it comes from God. I know this peace; I’ve experienced this peace time and time again; I believe this promise to be true, but the fleshly part of me still…gasps with fear when faced with danger or perceived danger. There is still that internal question that rises. What I believe theologically and spiritually, what I believe intellectually comes in conflict with my emotional heart. The struggle. Perhaps evidence that all is not right in the world; all is not what it was meant to be.
Just a response from the lens of my worldview. =) Much to ponder. Thanks.