Key Arguments

• Defense against defeat is within one’s control, but the chance to defeat the enemy arises from the enemy’s own actions
• A skilled fighter can guarantee not being defeated, but cannot guarantee defeating the enemy
• Victory should be pursued only when the opportunity appears

Source Quotes

Tactical Dispositions 1. Sun Tzu said: The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. 2.

2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. 3.

3. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy. 4.

Key Concepts

• The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
• To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
• Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.

Context

iv. Tactical Dispositions (lines 229–271)