Live and Let Live — The Principle That Sustains Civilization

"Live and let live” — this simple phrase holds the secret of a peaceful and civilized world. It is the foundation of healthy coexistence, where people of different faiths, cultures, and beliefs respect one another’s space and dignity. This is what multiculturalism truly means — not uniformity, but unity in diversity.

Civilization flourishes when people learn to coexist. But it begins to crumble when one group decides that only its truth, only its way of life, deserves to survive. The opposite principle — “Live by eliminating others” — is the root of every form of domination, oppression, and cultural destruction. It is the mindset that cannot coexist; it must either conquer or be conquered.

There is a timeless story that captures this truth.

A man, moved by kindness, allowed his camel to put its head inside his tent on a cold desert night. Bit by bit, the camel asked for more space — its neck, its shoulders, its body. The man, believing in coexistence, kept giving way. But once the camel was fully inside, it kicked the man out and took over the tent.

The man acted out of goodwill; the camel acted out of instinct to dominate. The man believed in live and let live; the camel believed in live by eliminating others. This is the tragedy of naive tolerance — when openness becomes a doorway for those who have no intention of sharing the space.

In our time, political Islamism has adopted the camel’s principle. It speaks the language of freedom, equality, and justice only as long as it serves its expansion. But once it gains control, it seeks to replace diversity with dominance, and to silence every voice that dares to differ. Behind its calls for justice often hides an ambition for control.

If we wish to preserve genuine coexistence, we must learn from the man and his camel. Tolerance must not mean surrender. Compassion must not mean blindness. True multiculturalism can survive only when it is defended with wisdom and courage.

To live and let live is not weakness — it is strength.

But to live by eliminating others is the path of destruction — of others first, and eventually of oneself.

Only when we hold firm to the principle of live and let live can we ensure that humanity, in all its colors and faiths, continues to share this world in peace.