live by the sword, die by the sword

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word live by the sword, die by the sword. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word live by the sword, die by the sword, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say live by the sword, die by the sword in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word live by the sword, die by the sword you have here. The definition of the word live by the sword, die by the sword will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition oflive by the sword, die by the sword, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

1611, King James Version of the Bible, Gospel of Matthew, 26:52

  • Then said Jesus unto him, "Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US):(file)

Proverb

live by the sword, die by the sword

  1. One who uses violence can expect a violent response; it is better to try to use peaceful means wherever possible.
  2. (figuratively) One can expect dire outcomes from any vice; used to convey a sense that poetic justice is inevitable.
  3. (figuratively) The means of one's success can become the means of one's downfall.
    • 1997 October 17, Roger Ebert, “Boogie Nights (1997) review”, in Chicago Sun-Times:
      And in Dirk Diggler's most anguished scene, as he shouts at Jack Horner, "I'm ready to shoot my scene RIGHT NOW!" we learn that those who live by the sword can also die by it.
    • 2009, Larry Downes, The Laws of Disruption: Harnessing the New Forces That Govern Life and Business in the Digital Age, Basic Books, →ISBN:
      In the “live by the sword, die by the sword” category of ironic litigation, consider the fate of struggling hardware and software maker Sun Microsystems.

Translations

References