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BurstMe95 *sigh* Let's try context, shall we...? This quote is from Book III of
De re militari (Latin "Concerning Military Matters"). The third book,
Tertius liber omnia artium genera, quae terrestri proelio necessaria uidentur, exponit, sets forth all types of arts that appear to be necessary for fighting on land. It contains a series of military maxims, which became influential to military learning of commanders in later medieval Europe. Some of the maxims may be mentioned here as illustrating the principles of a war for limited political objectives with which he deals:
1. "All that is advantageous to the enemy is disadvantageous to you, and all that is useful to you, damages the enemy"
2. "the main and principal point in war is to secure plenty of provisions for oneself and to destroy the enemy by famine. Famine is more terrible than the sword."
3. "No man is to be employed in the field who is not trained and tested in discipline"
4. "It is better to beat the enemy through want, surprises, and care for difficult places (i.e., through manoeuvre) than by a battle in the open field"
5. "Let him who desires peace prepare for war," also paraphrased as si vis pacem, para bellum ("If you want peace, prepare for war")
Please note maxim 2, as it leaves no doubt as to the phrase in proper context. It is not about being aggressive and hostile towards others, it's about being invulnerable to harm from them.
