if you want peace, prepare for war

English edit

Etymology edit

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).

Proverb edit

if you want peace, prepare for war

  1. Preparing for a fight can prevent hostilities because you do not look like an easy target.

Translations edit

See also edit