On page 55 of an ordinary book lies a phrase that doesn’t shout, but echoes: “Avoiding unnecessary wars is also a victory.” There are no characters, no elaborate setting—just a bare truth, almost shy, revealing itself as if it doesn’t want attention, yet changes everything.

We live in times when victory is measured by visible achievements: medals, trophies, promotions, likes. The world teaches us to fight, to compete, to win. But there’s a kind of victory that doesn’t make headlines, that earns no applause. It happens when someone chooses silence over a sharp reply. When a wounded heart decides not to return the pain. When one steps back—not out of fear, but out of wisdom.

These avoided wars are invisible. They are the arguments that never happened, the impulses that were tamed, the pride that was swallowed. They are the moments when someone chose peace, even when they were right. And though they’re not celebrated with fanfare, they are among the hardest victories—because they require courage, maturity, and love.

Maybe the world needs more page 55s. More people who understand that winning isn’t always about defeating others, but about not losing oneself. That peace isn’t the absence of conflict, but the presence of choice. And that sometimes, the bravest act is simply not entering the battle.

Because avoiding an unnecessary war is, indeed, a victory. And one of the most beautiful. 🙏🏾❤️

©️ Beatriz Esmer