Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to
the enemy’s purpose.
Ts‘ao Kung says: 佯愚也 “Feign stupidity”—by an appearance of
yielding and falling in with the enemy’s wishes. Chang Yü’s note
makes the meaning clear: “If the enemy shows an inclination to
advance, lure him on to do so; if he is anxious to retreat, delay
on purpose that he may carry out his intention.” The object is to
make him remiss and contemptuous before we deliver our attack.