Wait at leisure while the enemy labors插圖
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts

Wait at leisure while the enemy labors

Exhaust the enemy's position first; do not rush to direct collision.

別名
以逸待勞 / Set 1. Winning Stratagems
領域
Strategy, negotiation, positioning, competition, conflict

Chinese Maxim

  • Chinese title: 以逸待勞
  • Chinese maxim: 困敵之勢，不以戰；損剛益柔。
  • Plain-English rendering: Exhaust the enemy's position first; do not rush to direct collision.

How It Works

  • Simple definition: Let the other side burn energy first.
  • Simple explanation: A tired opponent is easier to beat than a fresh one.

Usage Example

  • Let a competitor overspend to educate the market, then enter after the cost of customer understanding has already been paid.