English Explanatory Dictionary

might makes right

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. What is right or wrong is determined by power and strength; power justifies itself.

Pronunciation

/ˈmaɪ̯t meɪ̯ks ˈɹaɪ̯t/ [ˈmaɪ̯t me̞ɪ̯ks ˈɹaɪ̯t] en-us-might makes right.ogg

Word forms

might makes right might is right

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English might is right, first attested in the 14th century. The concept is expressed by various classical authors; a similar argument is notably attributed to Thrasymachus by Plato in the Republic 340a (in Paul Shorey’s translation, “the advantage of the stronger is just”).

Related words

argumentum ad baculum for my friends everything for my enemies the law history is written by the victors kratocracy kraterocracy the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must vae victis
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