Meaning of To the enemy that flees silver bridge

What is the enemy that flees silver bridge:

"To the enemy that flees silver bridge" is a phrase authored by the Castilian politician and military man, Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba (1453-1515), known in the war as the Great Captain, conqueror of Naples. It means facilitate the departure of an enemy, competitor or any individual who may cause harm.

The phrase appears in the book Don Quixote, when overwhelmed by the herd of fighting bulls, he exclaims: “Stop and wait, you scoundrel; that a single knight awaits you, who does not have the condition or the opinion of those who say that to the enemy who flees, make him the silver bridge ”.

However, despite its popularity and being used by citizens, it presents some variants such as: "To the enemy, if he turns his back, the silver bridge", "to the fleeing enemy, golden bridge", "to the fleeing enemy, ten blessings".

Phrase analysis

"To the enemy that flees silver bridge", is a phrase of Spanish origin, repeated by the Great Captain in the 16th century, in the fields soldiers in front of their troops as a mandate to avoid obstacles and facilitate the flight of the enemy defeated. As such, it is a phrase that recommends freeing yourself from enemies or anyone who can or wants to cause harm or harm.

In this sense, any measure that allows the distance of the enemies is valid, and even as the phrase indicates, a silver bridge. Hence, he recalls the importance of keeping the enemy apart, and for this to present the conditions for his own march to continue preserving tranquility.

It is no less important to emphasize that if at some point the desire or will of the defeated enemy is detected, it is always good to offer them every opportunity. necessary for this to make its effective withdrawal, since it is better to end the conflict and let the enemy withdraw to continue the confrontation without having to of it.

It is a phrase of deep good sense and caution that expresses the possibility for an individual to free himself from a dangerous, untimely person, so the presentation of all the facilities for the flight of the enemy is the ideal way, because only in this way would the person achieve peace before oppression by the adversary.

On the other hand, in Criminal Law, This expression is used in the doctrine as a basis for the refusal to impose a sentence before the withdrawal of the attempted crime. Under this assumption, it can be indicated that there are legal systems that are governed by this principle and catalog and include repentance and withdrawal as acquittals, so the perpetrator of the crime must have a repentant attitude and do everything within his power to prevent the execution of the crime. crime.

About Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba - Great Captain

Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, (Montilla - Córdoba, 1453 - Granada, 1515), was part of a family belonging to the House of Aguilar. He was the first soldier of the Modern Age and in the year 1495, he faced the French troops that had occupied the kingdom of Naples, and in 1948 he returned to Spain victorious, where his triumphs led him to be the Grand Captain and to obtain the title of Duke of Santángelo. Then in 1502 he received the title of viceroy. When the princess of Isabel I died, relations with Fernando deteriorated until he was separated from the government of Naples, and he died on November 2, 1515, in Granada.

See also our article on the book Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.