Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. — Sun-tzu. Chinese general (544–496 BC) Defeat, Victory
This does not mean that the enemy is to be allowed to escape. The object is to make him believe that there is a road to safety, and thus prevent his fighting with the courage of despair. After that, you may crush him.
To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.