Expert: Maria - 2/21/2010

Question
I know the old saying "If you want peace, prepare for war", but I would like to see the phrase in Latin that says, "If you want peace, prepare with love"

Answer

Hello,

The phrase you mention is the English translation of “Si vis pacem, para bellum”, a Latin quotation attributed to Vegetius, a Roman military expert flourished  4th century AD, who  wrote a military treatise, "Rei militaris instituta", also called "Epitoma rei militaris”(Summary of military matters).

As  for your change "If you want peace, prepare with love", it can be translated as follows:

-“Si vis pacem, para amorem”.

Best regards,
Maria
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Note that:

-If = SI

-You want= VIS(from the verb VOLO, I want)

-Peace= PACEM(direct object in the accusative of PAX, 3rd.declension)

-Prepare= PARA (2nd.person singular, imperative of PARO, I prepare)

-With love= AMOREM(accusative of AMOR, love, 3rd.declension). The verb PARO requires the direct object in the accusative case like in PARA BELLUM, meaning “prepare for war”,  where BELLUM (war) is just in the accusative case.