Art of War 4.15
The Art of War (孫子兵法), Tactical Dispositions 形篇
是故勝兵先勝而後求戰敗兵先戰而後求勝
Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
Lionel Giles (1910), Sun Tzŭ on the Art of War (1910), with Giles' notes — public domain.
Lionel Giles's notes
Ho Shih thus expounds the paradox: “In warfare, first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured.”
Character glossary
- 是shìto be; indeed, right, yes; okay
- 故gùreason, cause; happening, instance
- 勝shèngvictory; to excel, to truimph
- 兵bīngsoldier; troops, an army; warlike
- 先xiānfirst, former, previous
- 而érand, and then, and yet; but
- 後hòuafter; behind, rear; descendants
- 求qiúto seek; to request, to demand; to besee
- 戰zhànwar, fighting, battle
- 敗bàifailure; to decline, to fail, to suffer
Passages with shared wording
- Art of War 4.19
- Art of War 1.26
- Mencius 4A.24
- The Great Learning Passage 11
- Art of War 3.2
- Art of War 10.12
Data: English Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.