Learning From Mistakes (Sun Tzu 2:4) (Out 10:1-11:13; Deuteronomy 1:19-46)

The use of cash in wisest ways,
Comes from mistakes in early days;
Advantages are clear to me,
When disadvantages I see.

One time’s enough to call up troops;
Two times provisions – cut them loose
To gather strength from other side
If in their lands you then reside.

Quick victory is key to this –
Feed off the foe – you need not ship
By wagon loads repeat supplies,
For ample food around you lies.

For those who use force skillfully,
Sophisticated generally,
Employing force at their command,
Adept at waging war will stand –

A greater chance of victory
If they draw strength from enemy;
Avoiding hazards well spelled out,
The burden’s less when spread about.

When dangers, evils, hazards, harms,
Are understood – that use of arms
Has disadvantages galore,
You’ll comprehend the up-side more.

Advantages and benefits
Exist, but profit most resists
The leaders who don’t comprehend
The negative – don’t apprehend –

What’s all around them, good and bad,
Such rich resource they could have had;
It’s not picked up or leaned upon,
’Till opportunity is gone.

Bad are their ways of doing things,
If history no insight brings;
They’re locked inside their little world,
As they proceed with flags unfurled.

Six kinds of food the cat-tail gives,
But some would starve and think there is
No food around – like corn to Scots
Of old – “It’s pig food on those lots”.

Old ways can close resource to all,
If we don’t grow each time we fall;
Stay open to resource at hand,
As you cross into Promise Land.

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