למד סינית בסין עם בית הספר קיטס

If loss is inevitable, decrease yin to increase yang. War, as a contest of strength, leads to losses on the part of the winner as well as the loser. The different lies in that the loss is inflicted upon the lose but is expected and accepted by the winner. It therefore follows that loss is […]

Take advantage of the smallest flaw; seize the smallest profit. Make use of a minor mistake of the enemy to gain a minor victory. To lead away a goat one should choose an opportune time, a point at which there is the least chance of any intervention from a third party. If, for example, one […]

Ascertain the doubtful; find out about the enemy before taking action. Return and bring the enemy’s secrets to light. This expression comes from a story in a Tang Dynasty sketchbook. The magistrate of Dangtu District, as the story goes, was a greedy man who accpeted as many bribes as he was offered. Once, some locals […]

The useful declines to be used, whereas the useless asks to be used. Make use of the useless. It is not I who seek help from the callow youth but the callow youth who seeks help from me. According to popular Chinese myth, the spirit of a deceased, except for extreme cases when it is […]

Wait for Heaven to encumber the enemy and make plots to allure it. When going leads to obstruction, come back. In military context, a tiger in the mountain symbolizes a strong enemy who enjoys the protection of a walled city, a fortified camp, a strategic mountain pass, or a wide, rushing water. One who commands […]

Close in upon the defeated enemy and it will strike back; let it go and its position will weaken. Follow it closely but do not press too hard. Fritter away its strength and sap its will. After it has scattered, subdue it without staining the swords with blood. Waiting. Sincerity brings glory. War is an […]

Lure the enemy with counterfeits. Punish the callow youth. The expression comes from a story about two poets in the Tang Dynasty. Once, a celebrated poet named Zhao Xia was about to visit Suzhou, the city of gardens in south China. When the poet Chang Jian heard about this, he knew that Zhao was sure […]

Crush the enemy’s main force and capture its chief to disintegrate its body. A dragon compelled to fight on land is faced with an impasse. This expression is taken from a poem by the Tang poet Du Fu: To draw a bow, draw one that is powerful;  To pick arrows, take those that are long; […]

Avoid a contest of strength with the enemy but seek to weaken its position in accordance with the image of Dui underneath Qian. The man must be completely foolish who attempts to cook water in a caldron on the stove by scooping it up and pouring it back repeatedly. A military leader who confronts a […]

Avoid a contest of strength with the enemy but seek to weaken its position in accordance with the image of Dui underneath Qian. The man must be completely foolish who attempts to cook water in a caldron on the stove by scooping it up and pouring it back repeatedly. A military leader who confronts a […]