“Addressing Defeat” [Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare #75-76)
So check things out, they all advise,
Lest you be tricked by some disguise –
A feigned retreat, defeat, or loss,
Is different, but mistakes will cost.“The spirit (c’hi) is first you’ll see
If you have beat an enemy”,
So watch for it, and read their flags
Before deciding – move or lag.The lists of symptoms given there;
Their use of traps demanding care;
Would vary, but discernment’s key,
That actions follow thoughtfully.Lord, when I contemplate the flip,
I am amazed, because of it
You pulled me out successfully
From all those places, so I’d see –Another day, and learn some more –
The ordinance was placed before
You had me freed – my Jubilee –
But that’s not mentioned here, I see –The ordinance that’s left behind
For blowing blockages of mind,
With will and spirit – room to act
You had with them – deferred attack!They did not then pursue – they thought
That they had won (no battle fought);
There were some hints I gave from You,
And they did not their “Win” pursue.But that still does not change the fact
Some seed got planted, left at that;
I trust You’ll use it someday there
As bully-types need such repair.They think they all will make out fine
Glimpse in mirror, view of mind,
Will then address their silliness –
Give them some things they can confess.Lord, I have learned so much from that –
Got killed like satisfaction’s cat;
Was raised that I address once more
Some other tasks You’ve had in store.Lord, now as Veblen once more comes
Into my focus, midst the drums
Of early in last century,
Now open eyes that I might see –The insights which he also had
like Sun Tzu – Some think him as bad,
But they’ve just put a twist on truth
While flipping over is one route –Into the truth we’ve somehow missed –
For me, in terms of “Heaven’s Kiss”;
Help me to let go of the past
Once it is milked for truth at last.Thanks Lord for this.
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