Wordcraft Community Home Page
"All's fair in love and war"

This topic can be found at:
https://wordcraft.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/932607094/m/8681064634

February 18, 2007, 10:57
wordnerd
"All's fair in love and war"
What is the earliest known appearance of the phrase "All's fair in love and war"? Not the exact phrasing, but the sentiment?

A poster on another board claims, "The earliest source is from Chaucer in Troilus and Criseyde (c.1380)," but I have two problems with his view, which he does not support with any exact quote or secondary authority:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wordnerd,
February 18, 2007, 12:12
<Asa Lovejoy>
I can't find proof right now, but I'd swear it's from Juvenal.
February 18, 2007, 17:44
Kalleh
That would seem plausible, but I couldn't find it either. I found this list of Juvenal's quotes. I wonder what is so intolerable about a wealthy woman. Wink