If you want peace, prepare for war

if you want peace, (you must) prepare for war

proverb Being well prepared militarily deters other factions from pursuing violent actions. Sir, I think we need to have more troops ready for action—if you want peace, prepare for war.
See also: if, prepare, want, war
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

If you want peace, (you must) prepare for war.

Prov. If a country is well armed, its opponents will be less likely to attack it. Wilbur was always arguing with those of his friends who believed in disarmament. "Getting rid of our weapons won't promote peace," he would say. "If you want peace, you must prepare for war."
See also: if, prepare, want, war
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • if you want peace, (you must) prepare for war
  • teach a man to fish
  • village
  • it takes a village
  • require
  • desperate times call for desperate measures
  • desperate times require desperate measures
  • drastic
  • drastic times call for drastic measures
  • drastic times require drastic measures
References in periodicals archive
Heiberg, who has also been President of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, went on, 'The traditional slogan was "If you want peace, prepare for war".' But she advocated: 'If you want to promote peace, you should prepare for peace.'
Conflict resolution needs everyone