Petroleum is a more likely cause of international conflict than wheat.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that natural resources, especially oil, lead to more conflicts than essential food supplies like wheat.
Simone Weil highlights the notion that resources critical to survival, such as food, might not incite as much international strife compared to valuable commodities like petroleum. This statement aims to provoke thought about the geopolitical tensions that arise from the competition for energy resources, emphasizing the irony of how a life-sustaining necessity can be less contentious than the pursuit of profitable resources.
In practice
During a speech on international relations, this quote can highlight the dangers of resource-based conflicts.
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