proverb · Words worth keeping
'Tis the second blow that makes a fray.
'Tis the second blow that makes a fray.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Retaliation can turn an initial wrong into an ongoing fight. The second blow pictures the point at which answering harm may extend the conflict.
What the words are saying
The saying draws attention to a response that makes violence reciprocal. It can encourage considering whether a reply will stop the harm or continue it. It must not erase the responsibility of the person who struck first, or imply that someone may never protect themselves. A careful reading distinguishes retaliation from a proportionate effort to reach safety and prevent further injury. The metaphor can also apply to exchanges of insults.
Everyday example
After an insult, someone ends the exchange and sets a boundary instead of answering with another insult that prolongs it.
When to use it
Use it to examine a retaliatory response that could escalate conflict.
What it does not mean
The first aggressor remains responsible, and avoiding retaliation does not require accepting harm.
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
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 1410 · Second blow
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- English