文质彬彬·每日好词语｜先胜后战

　　先胜后战

　　先有制胜的把握而后交战。意在强调战前周密筹划，避免盲动——对于进攻的一方来说尤其如此。高明的指挥者追求主动的意料之中的胜利，因此会预先做好战前的各种准备，根据敌我双方各方面情况对比，寻找或创造对自己最有利的条件或态势，针对可能出现的各种变化制定相应的预案等，以确保战争向自己希望的方向发展并全程掌控战争的主动权。

　　Be Sure of Winning Before Engaging in War

　　This means that the party, especially the one who initiates a military engagement, should plan carefully in advance so as to avoid taking ill-prepared moves. A good commander expects to win victory by taking the initiative and will plan meticulously. On the basis of comparing his forces with the adversary in all aspects, the commander seeks to create the most favorable conditions for himself and make plans for all eventualities and changes to make sure that the engagement will unfold in the way he wishes and thus allow him to gain the upper hand.

　　引例

　　是故胜兵先胜而后求战，败兵先战而后求胜。（《孙子·军形》）（所以善打胜仗的军队总是先有制胜的把握而后交战，常打败仗的军队总是先交战而后希求胜利。）

　　An army that always wins only engages in war when it is sure of winning, whereas an army that often suffers defeat engages in battle first and then hopes to win. (The Art of War)