He that makes a good war makes a good peace.

Meaning: Strategic planning and decisive action in conflict create stable, sustainable resolutions.

Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.

More proverbs about Morality

From our false friends

  • Kind — Actually means 'child'. For kind (nice), say aardig or vriendelijk.
  • Wet — Actually means 'law'. For wet, say nat.
  • Elf — Actually means 'eleven'. Elf uur = eleven o'clock.

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