Ilustración de Befriend a distant state and strike a nearby one
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts

Befriend a distant state and strike a nearby one

Build distant alignment where it is cheap, and concentrate effort where advantage is near.

Alias
遠交近攻 / Set 4. Chaotic Battle Stratagems
Dominios
Strategy, negotiation, positioning, competition, conflict

Chinese Maxim

  • Chinese title: 遠交近攻
  • Chinese maxim: 形禁勢格，利從近取，害以遠隔。
  • Plain-English rendering: Build distant alignment where it is cheap, and concentrate effort where advantage is near.

How It Works

  • Simple definition: Partner far, attack near.
  • Simple explanation: Nearby conflicts matter more immediately than faraway ones.

Usage Example

  • Secure remote alliances and resources while focusing direct competitive effort on the nearest threat.