What is the original Chinese?

是故勝兵先勝而後求戰，敗兵先戰而後求勝。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

勝兵先勝而後求戰

Winners win first, then fight. Losers fight first, then look for a win.

Sun Tzu, The Art of War 4 (Tactical Dispositions)

What it means

Victory is decided by preparation before the contest starts. Those who rush in hoping to figure it out mid-fight usually lose. Do the winning in the planning.

The source

"Winners win first, then fight. Losers fight first, then look for a win." Sun Tzu said it in The Art of War 4 (Tactical Dispositions). Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"是故勝兵先勝而後求戰，敗兵先戰而後求勝。"

Original Chinese, The Art of War 4 (Tactical Dispositions). Text read at zh.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Sun Tzu (c. 5th century BC). Chinese general traditionally credited with The Art of War, a short book on strategy that values preparation, deception and winning without battle. It has been read by commanders, athletes and founders ever since.

Questions

What does "Winners win first, then fight. Losers fight first, then look for a win." mean?: Victory is decided by preparation before the contest starts. Those who rush in hoping to figure it out mid-fight usually lose. Do the winning in the planning.
Who said "Winners win first, then fight. Losers fight first, then look for a win."?: Sun Tzu (c. 5th century BC). Source: The Art of War 4 (Tactical Dispositions).
What is the original Chinese?: 是故勝兵先勝而後求戰，敗兵先戰而後求勝。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.
Is "Winners win first, then fight. Losers fight first, then look for a win." on a shirt?: Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 6 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"Winners win first, then fight. Losers fight first, then look for a win." (Sun Tzu, The Art of War 4 (Tactical Dispositions), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/winners-win-first-then-fight-losers-fight-first