Might is right.强权即公理。
本谚语前后用了两个基本同音的词,只差开头一个辅音/m/与/r/,这样更能加强对比。
在高度竞争的社会里,汰弱留强、弱肉强食、恃强凌弱的现象很普遍。中国有句谚语“成则为王,败则为寇”也有“强权即公理”的意思。
与本条谚语同义的是:Might overcomes right.(强权压倒公理。)
强权的力量还可见于以下意思相同的两条谚语:
God is always on the side of the big battalions.
Providence is always on the side of the big battalions.
上天/命运站在强者一旁。
美国总统林肯提出更有积极性的意见:“It has been said of the world's history hitherto that might is right.It is for us and for our time to reverse the maxim and to say that right makes might.”
上文中right makes might就是“公理形成巨大力量”,即“公理无敌”的意思。
与本条谚语反义的还有:
Force can never destroy right.
暴力不能毁灭公理。