expression
might is right; history is written by the victors
Proverb meaning that the winning side is always considered legitimate, while the losing side is branded as rebels or wrongdoers. Often used to comment on how power determines justice.
勝てば官軍、負ければ賊軍という言葉があるように、歴史は勝者によって書かれる。
As the saying goes, 'might is right,' and history is written by the victors.
戦争では勝てば官軍、負ければ賊軍で、正義は勝った側のものになる。
In war, the winners are always right and the losers are always wrong; justice belongs to the winning side.
Abbreviated form of the same proverb, used in the same meaning but less explicit about the losing side.
A Japanese proverb of uncertain origin, likely derived from historical observations of civil wars where the victorious side was recognized as the legitimate government (官軍) and the defeated side as rebels (賊軍).