Loose Lips Sink Ships (Sun Tzu 4:2-3) (Judges Chapter 13-16)

Defense, offense – which to take,
Subtle is – so hesitate
Long enough to look around;
Sun Tzu’s insights here are sound:

Key is where the weakness lies –
If it’s seen or not then ties
Into what your stance should be –
Offense-defense – plain to see.

Who has weakness, them or you?
Which side sees what they must do?
To exploit the weakness seen
In the other side I mean.

Defense – if it’s you who’s weak;
Defense – if you weakness seek
In opponent’s ordered ranks –
Hunker down – for that give thanks.

Offense – if the other’s weak;
Offense – once you weakness see
In opponent’s ordered ranks –
Launch attack – for that give thanks.

Your defense is up to you
If they will not conquest view
In the morrow, when attack
Sweeps upon your fighting back –

You must be invincible;
Conquest not attainable;
Fix each weakness if it’s been
By opponent’s stoolies seen.

If they win, you are to blame;
Strategy in warfare’s game
Plays from a base of strong defense;
Exploit weakness for offense.

Waiting’s what it’s all about;
Hunker down when there’s a doubt
Where their weakness opening gives –
’Till that time defensive live.

Watch and circle round the foe,
In and out like clover go;
Reconnoiter; learn their plays,
Though it may take many days.

It’s been said once you have seen
Weaknesses (which victory means),
Think again – for though you see,
Can you that advantage seize?

You can’t manufacture wins;
Victory for you begins
When you see their weaker part,
Then to weakness, strengthen impart.

You can’t make them lose, you see;
They can let your victory be
From a weakness in defense
You exploited, once you sensed –

That’s the place they’ll let you win;
that’s where central plan begins
To emerge with steps to take,
’Till decisive blow you make.

Sampson kept his key to strength
Hidden (was his hair’s great length);
Once revealed, his enemies
Captured him – did as they pleased –

’Till one day his strength returned,
Lessons Sampson finely learned –
“Keep your mouth shut; do your work
Tongues can be great weakness – jerk.”

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