The Practice of Sublime Virtue

"A certain person of military experience has said, "I dare not be the host (to lead on the fight); I would rather be the guest. I dare not advance an inch (to make the first attack); I would rather retire a foot." Now this (principle if carried out) would, I say, result in there being no following of ranks, no baring of the arm, no charging of the enemy, no grasping of weapons. There is no calamity greater than making light of the enemy. By making light of the enemy, we are almost sure to lose our treasure. Therefore, when opposing warriors join in battle, the pitiful is always the conqueror."