Original:
There is a saying in the use of soldiers: I dare not be a guest for the Lord, and I dare not advance an inch and retreat.
It is said that there is no action, no arms, no soldiers, and no invincible.
There is no greater misfortune than underestimating the enemy, and underestimating the enemy will lose a few treasures.
Therefore, when the resistance is added, the mourner wins.
Translation: The soldier once said: I dare not take the initiative to attack, but prefer to take the defensive; Don't dare to enter an inch of land, but would rather retreat a foot.
That is to say, there must be no definite mode of action, no visible attack posture, and no dependence on **, so as to achieve the realm of invincibility.
There is no greater calamity than to despise an enemy, who will lose almost all of its valuable qualities.
Therefore, when the two sides are at war, it is often the disadvantaged, mournful side that emerges victorious.
Insight: This ** explains Lao Tzu's philosophical thought of ruling by inaction and indisputability, and applies it to the military field. Lao Tzu believes that true strength lies not in actively attacking and showing strength, but in being able to adapt to the environment, maintain flexibility, and avoid unnecessary conflicts. This can also be understood as not blindly attacking in competition or conflict, but being good at retreating and finding the most appropriate time and method to achieve the goal.
On a deeper level, Lao Tzu reminds us that true victory often does not depend on the superficial balance of power, but on the ability to grasp the mental and emotional state of the opponent. In life and work, we are often faced with situations where we do not solve problems through direct confrontation or show strength, but to understand each other and outwit each other.
In addition, Lao Tzu also emphasized that "the mourner wins", which can be understood as maintaining inner peace and tenacity in the face of injustice or difficulty, which can sometimes be transformed into a kind of strength that enables us to achieve unexpected victories in the face of adversity.
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