夫功者难成而易败,时者难得而易失也。

fú gōng zhě nán chéng ér yì bài, shí zhě nán dé ér yì shī yě.

今日拾句2026年8月15日/《史记·淮阴侯列传》/司马迁

释义Explanation

这句话出自蒯通劝韩信之语,意在提醒他把握时机、当机立断。成就一番功业往往需要长期积累和艰苦努力,但稍有不慎就可能毁于一旦;有利的时机很难遇到,一旦出现若不及时抓住,就会迅速消逝。它警示世人:成功来之不易,要倍加珍惜;机遇稍纵即逝,须果断行动,不可优柔寡断。这是对创业与守成、决策与行动关系的深刻洞察。

This line comes from Kuai Tong's advice to Han Xin, urging him to act decisively at a critical moment. It observes a universal truth: building any meaningful achievement requires sustained effort and careful accumulation, yet a single error can bring it all down. Likewise, favorable opportunities are rare and transient; once they appear, delay means losing them forever. The warning is not merely about caution but about the asymmetry between creation and destruction, between seizing and hesitating. It reminds us to value what we have built and to act swiftly when the moment arrives.

使用场景Usage

在创业、职业发展或人生重大选择中,这句话提醒我们:已经取得的成果需要用心维护,不能因一时疏忽而前功尽弃;当难得的机遇出现时,要果断把握,不能因犹豫观望而错失。尤其在快速变化的时代,机会窗口往往很短,决策效率直接影响结果。

In modern careers and startups, this line resonates deeply. A product or reputation built over years can collapse through one scandal or strategic mistake. At the same time, market windows open briefly; those who hesitate to act often find the opportunity gone. The saying encourages both diligent stewardship of existing achievements and bold, timely decisions when new chances appear.