Anyone know who came up with this commonly-used quote originally? Were they trying to justify normally un-just actions? Or just trying to be comical?
Look at war - what's fair about it? And look at the terrible things people do in the name of "love"...
2006-08-25 10:03:32 · 10 answers · asked by eliziam 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR -- "The rules of fair play do not apply in love and war. The proverb has been traced back to John Lyly's 'Euphues' (1578). First attested in the United States in 'Horse-Shoe Robinson' (1835). The proverb is found in varying forms. The proverb is frequently used to justify cheating." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" by Gregory Y. Titelman ( Random House, N.Y., 1996).
2006-09-02 08:29:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All’s fair in love and war
1. People in love and soldiers in wartime are not bound by the rules of fair play.
2. This proverb is frequently used when two people are contending for the love of a third.
2006-09-01 19:45:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
All's fair would also mean you can play not so fair and still call if fair. So, it basically means what isn't fair is fair now.
It is just true. Rules change for love and war. People will do whatever they have to do to protect their country and their love for someone.
2006-08-25 10:17:08 · answer #3 · answered by ridethestar 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That quote is relating love to war because in both love and war people are bound to get hurt, and you have to know that before agreeing to either one....
So it's "fair' b/c you are a willing participant most of the time....
2006-08-25 10:10:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's an awful quote and perpetuates unkind, hurtful acts. It's used to justify doing bad things and we need to drop it - now.
2006-09-02 06:40:46 · answer #5 · answered by Siri 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
War isn't fair for either side of it.
2006-08-31 23:13:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means all rules are off. Anything goes.
2006-09-02 05:27:13 · answer #7 · answered by eva b 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It means there are no rules---- its not fair
2006-08-31 11:38:41 · answer #8 · answered by Norman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Reality sucks.
get used to it.
2006-09-01 16:29:42 · answer #9 · answered by scary g 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think they were being sarcastic.
2006-09-02 10:01:52 · answer #10 · answered by Haylee N 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋