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69

"In using the military, there is a saying: I dare not be the host, but prefer to be the guest I dare not advance an inch, but prefer to withdraw a foot This is called marching in formation without formation Raising arms without arms Grappling enemies without enemies Holding weapons without weapons There is no greater disaster than to underestimate the enemy Underestimating the enemy almost made me lose my treasures So when evenly matched armies meet The side that is compassionate shall win"

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

English

"In using the military, there is a saying: I dare not be the host, but prefer to be the guest I dare not advance an inch, but prefer to withdraw a foot This is called marching in formation without formation Raising arms without arms Grappling enemies without enemies Holding weapons without weapons There is no greater disaster than to underestimate the enemy Underestimating the enemy almost made me lose my treasures So when evenly matched armies meet The side that is compassionate shall win"

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