Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Sixty Nine

“There is a saying among soldiers:
I dare not make the first move but would rather play the guest;
I dare not advance an inch but would rather withdraw a foot.

This is called marching without appearing to move,
Rolling up your sleeves without showing your arm,
Capturing the enemy without attacking,
Being armed without weapons.

There is no greater catastrophe than underestimating the enemy.
By underestimating the enemy, I almost lose what I value.

Therefore when the battle is joined,
The underdog will win.”

This is like ‘karate ni sentenashi’ (there is no first attack in karate) in the art of karate but holds for all martial arts and life itself. The first attack always leaves an opening for the defender.

There is also ‘masking your wa’ (concealing your power) that means that you can function under the radar of an attacker.

To underestimate an opponent that can conceal their power is a big mistake giving them victory and lose whatever we hold dear.