Attack is the best form of defence

The idea of the pre-emptive strike expressed in a form approaching this appears to be American in origin; cf. [1775 W. H. Drayton in R. W. Gibbes Documentary Hist. American Revolution (1855) I. 174] It is a maxim, that it is better to attack than to receive one; [1799 G. Washington Writings (1940) XXXVII. 250] Make them believe, that offensive operations, often times, is the surest, if not the only‥means of defence. Recent usage shows a clear British-US divergence, however, with the best defense is a good offense as the US form.

Inspector Higgins fired his revolver at the sound, deeming attack the better part of defence, whilst someone from the other side of the room had a similar notion.
[1930 C. F. Gregg Murder on Bus xxxvii.]

‘Attack’, she said, ‘is the best means of defence.’ She sounded so smug that I told her the thought was not original.
[1965 N. S. Gray Apple-Stone xi.]

Attack is the best form of defence, they say, and when politicians lose their principles they play a dirty game.
[1980 F. Olbrich Desouza in Stardust iv.]

Clearly, the big banks have stuck to their policy of attack being the best form of defence on this issue [of price controls].
[2002 Times 19 June 24]

Related to: boldness; warfare

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.