Whether the bear beats the wolf or the wolf beats the bear, the rabbit always loses.
This quote from Robert Jordan’s "The Eye of the World" highlights the concept of the collateral damage in conflicts between powerful entities. It suggests that regardless of the outcome of a battle between strong opponents, there are always those weaker who ultimately suffer. In this case, the rabbit represents the innocent or powerless individuals who are affected by the struggles of the more dominant forces, the bear and the wolf. This illustrates a broader comment on the nature of power dynamics in society.
The metaphor serves as a reminder that in any struggle between two powerful sides, it is often the vulnerable who pay the price. The bear and the wolf symbolize opposing forces, whether they be political, social, or personal. The rabbit’s plight emphasizes that in the grand scheme of conflict, the interests of those who can't defend themselves are overlooked, leading to a cycle of suffering that is often ignored amid the struggle for dominance.