proverb · Words worth keeping
All's fair in love and war.
All's fair in love and war.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying suspends ordinary fairness in love and war. It presents intense aims or conflict as an excuse for otherwise questionable means.
What the words are saying
All makes the exemption sweeping. A critical interpretation can analyse this excuse without endorsing deception, coercion or harm. Neither attraction nor conflict removes other people’s dignity or establishes that an action is justified. The phrase is not practical guidance for either setting.
Everyday example
A reader questions an attempt to excuse hurtful conduct by appealing to strong feelings.
When to use it
Use it to examine an exception claimed for powerful motives.
What it does not mean
Love or conflict does not justify every action or override another person’s wishes.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 485; PDF page 71
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.