--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The way to secure peace is to be prepared…" description: "\"The way to secure peace is to be prepared for war. They that are on their guard, and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38f/benjamin-franklin-65_adversaries_the-way-to-secure-peace-is-to-be-prepare_3171872.png" --- # The way to secure peace is to be prepared for war. They… ![“The way to secure peace is to be prepared for war. They that are on their guard, and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger of being attacked, than the supine, secure, and negligent.” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38f/benjamin-franklin-65_adversaries_the-way-to-secure-peace-is-to-be-prepare_3171872.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38f/benjamin-franklin-65_adversaries_the-way-to-secure-peace-is-to-be-prepare_3171872.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38f/benjamin-franklin-65_adversaries_the-way-to-secure-peace-is-to-be-prepare_3171872.png) > “The way to secure peace is to be prepared for war. They that are on their guard, and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger of being attacked, than the supine, secure, and negligent.” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Peace is best maintained by deterrence; being ready for conflict discourages aggression. **In simple terms:** Being prepared for war deters attacks. Key Takeaway Maintain vigilance and readiness. Themes peace security deterrence military politics Mood cautious strategic serious Type advice political When to use this quote - national defense planning - diplomatic negotiations - military training - public policy - risk assessment Key Concepts realism deterrence theory strategic balance Questions to Reflect On - How does preparedness affect diplomatic relations? - What are the risks of a perpetual war footing? 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George Washington”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arseneault/to-be-prepared-for-war-is-one-of-the-most-effective-means-of/) [Stephen Arseneault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arseneault/) > [Far from making peace, wars invariably serve as classrooms and laboratories where men and techniques and states of mind are prepared for the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/far-from-making-peace-wars-invariably-serve-as-classrooms-and/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) ## More by Benjamin Franklin > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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