Wer durch das Schwert lebt, wird durch das Schwert sterben.

Sentence Discussions German
#1
Spanish Translation

El que a hierro mata a hierro muere.

I’ve come across this two sentences that basically, according to Clozemaster mean the same. Are there any differences?

Here the two sentences:
Der, der das Schwert nimmt, soll durch das Schwert sterben.
Wer durch das Schwert lebt, wird durch das Schwert sterben.

#2

I have never heard neither of these sentences. Apparently, it’s from the Bible (Matthew 26:52).

I think there is a difference because one sentence uses wird, the other uses soll.

How I interpret them:

  • If someone chooses to smoke like a chain smoker, one mustn’t be surprised if that person dies of cancer.
  • If someone eats nothing but junk food, one mustn’t be surprised if that person dies of a heart attack.
  • If someone chooses to have unprotected orgies, one mustn’t be surprised if that person dies of AIDS.

That’s like saying, “That person ate one burger in his life, now I want him to die of a heart attack rather than of old age.” “That person went skydiving once, now I want him to die in a plane crash rather than of old age.”

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