If any nation earnestly desires for peace, it must prepare for war. All its honest efforts must be directed to promote peace. How can there be peace through war? This statement is a fine example of paradox.
But the fact in life is all nations cannot appreciate the gospel of peace. They always talk the first opportunity to attack smaller and weaker nations.
For brute force cannot be checked and tamed by the noble sermons of peace, but by the might of the arms. Thus the maxim justifies the war of defence and not of offence.