Chinese Lessons
Experiencing Chinese
Chinese Idioms And Fables
Beginning with Yu the Great, the Xia Dynasty had lasted about four hundred years before Jie became the supreme ruler.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 16: To Catch Something, First Let It Go
Cornered prey will often mount a final desperate attack. To prevent this you let the enemy believe he still has a chance for freedom. His will to fight is thus dampened by his desire to escape. When in the end the freedom is proven a falsehood the enemy's morale will be defeated and he will surrender without a fight.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 15: Lure the Tiger Down the Mountain
Never directly attack a well-entrenched opponent. Instead lure him away from his stronghold and separate him from his source of strength.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 14: Borrow a Corpse to Raise the Spirit
Take an institution, a technology, or a method that has been forgotten or discarded and appropriate it for your own purpose. Revive something from the past by giving it a new purpose or to reinterpret and bring to life old ideas, customs, and traditions.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 13: Beat The Grass To Startle The Snake
When you cannot detect the opponent's plans launch a direct, but brief, attack and observe your opponent reactions. His behavior will reveal his strategy.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 12: Seize the Opportunity To Lead a Sheep Away
While carrying out your plans be flexible enough to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself, however small, and avail yourself of any profit, however slight.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 11: Sacrifice the Plum Tree In Place of the Peach
There are circumstances in which you must sacrifice short-term objectives in order to gain the long-term goal. This is the scapegoat strategy whereby someone else suffers the consequences so that the rest do not.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 10: Hide Your Dagger Behind a Smile
Charm and ingratiate yourself to your enemy. When you have gained his trust, you move against him in secret.
[Chinese Idioms And Fables] Thirty-Six Strategies 9: Observe the Fire on the Opposite Shore
It's used to describe: Delay entering the field of battle until all the other players have become exhausted fighting amongst themselves. Then go in full strength and pick up the pieces.
Attack the enemy with two convergent forces. The first is the direct attack, one that is obvious and for which the enemy prepares his defense. The second is the indirect, the attack sinister, that the enemy does not expect and which causes him to divide his forces at the last minute leading to confusion and disaster.