might makes right

Etymology
, . The concept is expressed by various classical authors; a similar argument is notably attributed to by  in the  340a (in ’s translation, “the advantage of the stronger is just”).

Proverb

 * 1) What is right or wrong is determined by power and strength; power justifies itself.

Usage notes

 * Frequently invoked sarcastically or with pejorative attribution to decry the immorality of one's opponent.

Translations

 * Chinese:
 * Mandarin: 成王敗寇, 成者為王，敗者為寇
 * Finnish: vahvin määrää
 * French:
 * Hindi: जिसकी लाठी उसकी भैंस
 * Italian: la ragione sta dalla parte dei forti
 * Japanese: 勝てば官軍負ければ賊軍
 * Polish: kto bogatemu zabroni
 * Portuguese: manda quem pode, obedece quem tem juízo
 * Russian: кто сильнее, тот и прав
 * Serbo-Croatian: tko jači, taj kvači
 * Spanish: la fuerza hace el derecho
 * Vietnamese: thắng làm vua, thua làm giặc