Topic: All's fair in love and war

antiquary

Another quote from the main site that it might be interesting to expand on. It seems to be first known in precisely that form in a novel by Frank E Smedley (full name Francis Edward Smedley) called Frank Fairleigh (1850).

But this is one of those quotations that evolved rather than being coined. Here's a historical survey:

1578: 'Anye impietie may lawfully be committed in love, which is lawlesse'. John Lyly Euphues.
1594: 'Deceit in love is but a merriment To such as seek a rival to prevent'. A Knacke to Knowe a Knave (anonymous play).
1606: 'An old saw hath bin, Faith's breach for love and kingdoms is no sin'. John Marston The Fawn.
1620: 'Love and warre are all one...It is lawfull to use sleights and stratagems to...attaine the wished end'. Shelton's translation of Don Quixote.
1801: 'In love and war, you know, all stratagems are allowable'. Maria Edgeworth Belinda.
1845: 'In love and war, every stratagem is fair, they say'. G P R James The Smuggler.