成则为王，败则为寇

Traditional form:

成則為王，敗則為寇

Pinyin (reading):

chéngzéwéiwáng,bàizéwéikòu

Definitions:

• lit. called a king if successful, called a bandit if defeated (idiom)
• fig. losers are always in the wrong

Characters:

• 成 - to accomplish; to become; to complete, to finish; to succeed
• 则 - rule, law, regulation; grades
• 为 - to do, to act; to handle, to govern; to be
• 王 - king, ruler; royal; surname
• 败 - failure; to decline, to fail, to suffer defeat
• 则 - rule, law, regulation; grades
• 为 - to do, to act; to handle, to govern; to be
• 寇 - bandit, thief; enemy; to invade

Traditional characters:

• 成 - to accomplish; to become; to complete, to finish; to succeed
• 則 - rule, law, regulation; grades
• 為 - to do, to act; to handle, to govern; to be
• 王 - king, ruler; royal; surname
• 敗 - failure; to decline, to fail, to suffer defeat
• 則 - rule, law, regulation; grades
• 為 - to do, to act; to handle, to govern; to be
• 寇 - bandit, thief; enemy; to invade