English Explanatory Dictionary

if you want peace, prepare for war

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. Visibly preparing for a fight can deter one's enemies from opening hostilities, by not giving the appearance of an easy target.

Word forms

if you want peace, prepare for war

Etymology

Calque of Latin sī vīs pācem, parā bellum, an adage adapted from a statement found in 4th century AD Roman author Vegetius's tract De re militari, in which the actual phrasing is igitur quī dēsīderat pācem, praeparet bellum (“therefore let him who desires peace prepare for war”).

Related words

balance of terror deterrence make love, not war peace through strength
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