All's fair in love and war

Posted by ESC April 04, 2001In reply to All's fair in love and war posted by steppi on April 04, 2001

Does anyone know the origin of the phrase "All's fair in love and war". Is there a literature background? thanks

ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR -- "The rules of fair play do not apply in love and war. The proverb has been traced back to John Lyly's 'Euphues' . First attested in the United States in 'Horse-Shoe Robinson' . The proverb is found in varying forms. The proverb is frequently used to justify cheating." From Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings by Gregory Y. Titelman ( Random House, N.Y., 1996).