Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

if you want peace, prepare for war

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.37 in modern English

Syllables: if y-ou wan-t -peace, pre-pare -for war
IPA

50

Scrabble Score

27

Letters

6

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

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

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”).

Phrases

balance of terror make love, not war peace through strength

Frequently Paired Words

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

Questions

What does if you want peace, prepare for war mean?: Visibly preparing for a fight can deter one's enemies from opening hostilities, by not giving the appearance of an easy target.
Where does if you want peace, prepare for war come from?: 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”).

How to pronounce if you want peace, prepare for war

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