The 72 Strategies of Guiguzi (complete version) is worth studying throughout one’s life; please keep it forever!

Thread Content

The 72 Strategies of Guiguzi (complete version) is worth studying throughout one’s life; please keep it forever! The first strategy: overt and covert schemes. Guiguzi said, “Strategies and tactics each have their own characteristics; some are circular, some square, some hidden, some overt. The sage plans in secrecy, which is why it is called ‘mysterious’, and brings things to completion in the open, which is why it is called ‘bright’. Those who succeed in carrying out their tasks do so by accumulating virtue.” ” Strategies can be divided into covert and overt ones; under any circumstances, one should not underestimate the other party, as events, circumstances, and information can all be false. Therefore, the sage should be unfathomable. What Guiguzi refers to as “yin” is planning in secrecy and bringing things to fruition in the open. The second strategy: Reversing the situation. Guiguzi said, “Thus, by calming one’s mind and intentions and allowing the spirit to return to its proper place, one’s authority becomes overwhelming. When authority is overwhelming, inner strength is solid; and with solid inner strength, no one can withstand one.” ” Guiguzi believed that when circumstances are unfavorable to us, we must do everything possible to strengthen our mental strength, because only by having a strong mental force can we turn the situation around. Third strategy: Attack them one by one. Guiguzi said, “To divide one’s power is a way to subdue the bear; dividing power means concealing one’s true strength.” ” Guiguzi believed that to weaken the opponent’s strength, we must follow the example of the lurking bear, waiting for the right moment to strike and take them down one by one. The fourth strategy is to act as if nothing is happening, just as in the trigrams. Guiguzi said, “Adapt by changing circumstances; there is no fixed way to act, and retreating can be an excellent strategy.” ” Guiguzi said: In battle, one must adapt flexibly like a circle, moving smoothly so that others cannot discern one’s true intentions. The fifth strategy: uncovering all secrets. Guiguzi said, “Therefore, those who are wise live among heaven and earth; they establish themselves, handle challenges, impart teachings, spread their voices, and make their names known. They must do so by taking advantage of the opportunities presented by various circumstances and by observing the appropriate patterns in the celestial phenomena.” ” According to Guiguzi, a wise person, in the face of constantly changing circumstances, should seize the moment when things change in order to adjust or carry out their plans. The sixth strategy: Words can bring a nation prosperity. Guiguzi said, “What the sages value most are the subtle principles, precisely because they can turn danger into safety and save a nation from destruction.” ” People speak casually, and a single mistaken word can lead to endless consequences. The seventh strategy: the few can overcome the many. Guiguzi said, “The natural order of things is spring for birth, summer for growth, autumn for harvest, and winter for storage; this is the way of heaven, and it cannot be reversed. To reverse it means that even those who are strong will eventually decline.” ” Once a person acts against the laws of development, even if he possesses great power for a time, he is bound to fail ； If a person can act in accordance with the laws of development, then even if they are weak at present, they can overcome greater forces with fewer resources. The Eighth Strategy: Deceptions within Deceptions. Guiguzi said, “In all strategies, there is a tendency to reciprocate actions; strategies involve creating opportunities for interaction, with various patterns and forms. Actions are taken in response to circumstances, and plans are devised according to the situation at hand.” ” Everything in the world is in constant change, and a coach must come up with various strategies to deal with these evolving circumstances. The ninth strategy: The universe is ever-changing. Guiguzi said, “Since the heavens and earth are in constant change, how can they remain unchanged for long?” ” Between heaven and earth, the principles remain consistent; there are no unchanging natural conditions or human affairs. Those who merely rely on established traditions without seeking innovation will inevitably be left behind by the times. The Tenth Strategy: Bring in the New to Replace the Old. Guiguzi said, “Curving ensures survival; bending leads to mistakes. Fullness results in overflow; wear and tear prompt renewal. Less brings success; too much causes confusion.” ” Metabolism is a law governing the development of all things in the universe; all innovation arises from building upon traditions. Without inheriting from traditions, innovation is impossible. Only by gaining a thorough understanding of tradition can one distinguish between its essence and its flaws; thereafter, the flaws in tradition can be eliminated while the essential elements can be further developed and promoted. The eleventh strategy: Thinking with foresight. Guiguzi said, “Wisdom can be applied in situations that others cannot understand, as well as in situations that others cannot see.” ” What others do not know, what others cannot see, only the wise can perceive with clarity. The twelfth strategy: Turning the situation upside down. Guiguzi said, “In doing small things, there is no inner boundary; in doing great things, there is no outer boundary.” Benefit and harm, going and coming, doubling and reversing – these are used by yin and yang to govern all things. Yang moves and acts, while yin remains in place and hides; Yang moves outward, and yin follows inward. Yang returns to its starting point, while when yin reaches its extreme, it turns into yang. ” Change is the law of the development of all things; only by using flexible rather than mechanical approaches to deal with the issues before us can we remain neither arrogant in success nor discouraged in failure. Thirteenth Strategy: Deception and Strategic Subtlety. Guiguzi said, “In all strategies, there is a tendency to align with one side while simultaneously acting against it. There are strategies that suit certain situations, and changes occur in a cyclical manner; each has its own patterns and forms. Strategies involve seeking alternatives based on the circumstances at hand, achieving success through action while adhering to the planned strategy. One may align with one party while distancing oneself from another. Strategies cannot be loyal to both parties at the same time; there will inevitably be conflicts. Conflicts arise with one party when acting against another, and conflicts with this party in turn arise when acting against that other party – such is the nature of these strategies.” To use it throughout the world, one must first assess the world as a whole before doing so ； The country that uses it must assess its own capabilities before providing it ； For use at home, it must be measured according to the size of the home before being given ； When using it, one must consider the person’s physique and presence before giving it to them. Whether moving forward or backward, its purpose remains the same. Those who were skilled at memorization in ancient times first united the four seas and brought Jie under control; only then did they join forces with Tang. Lü Shang approached King Wen three times and entered the palace three times, yet failed to achieve anything significant, before finally being able to work together with King Wen. ” The Fourteenth Strategy: Secret Action. Guiguzi said, “The way of the sage is overt; the way of the fool is hidden. The sage’s method lies in concealment and secrecy.” ” Clever commanders often create illusions to deceive the enemy, while secretly taking actions to defeat them completely. The fifteenth strategy: A single breakthrough. Guiguzi said, “Control the interior from the exterior; everything has its cause, and one should act in accordance with it.” ” If we want to control others’ minds from the outside, we must understand that by focusing on the key aspects of things, all problems can be easily resolved. The sixteenth strategy: Seeing the small as the large. Guiguzi said, “Examine matters, analyze all things, distinguish between males and females; even in cases that are not directly related, one can discern patterns by observing the subtle signs.” ” A wise person is able to infer potential major events from subtle signs. The seventeenth strategy: The transformation of master and servant. Guiguzi said, “Thus, the strong build their strength by starting from weakness; those who possess something build on imperfections; those with excesses rely on uncertainty. This approach does not work. Softness and weakness can overcome hardness and strength; therefore, by building on weakness, one can become strong.” ” When it comes to determining the advantage between the host and the guest, there are techniques for turning the guest into the host and the host into the guest. The eighteenth strategy: Winning over rebels and bringing them under control. Guiguzi said, “Do not firmly reject them; if you agree to their demands, you can defend yourself, but if you reject them, it will lead to isolation.” ” A wise coach should possess a grand statesmanlike vision; he does not reject anyone who wishes to join him. The nineteenth strategy: Act in response to the opponent. Guiguzi said, “By following and responding accordingly, nothing is impossible.” ” The so-called “response” refers to taking action under pressure or out of necessity; here, it is not a passive form of non-resistance, but rather a method of achieving everything through non-interference. If a person is always eager to be competitive, their physical and mental strength will surely be depleted quickly. They do not act rashly; instead, they keep training their physical strength and willpower until they are able to completely overcome their opponents. Only then do they take action. In other words, they remain silent unless necessary, but when they do act, it is with great force. The twentieth strategy: The various schools of thought. Guiguzi said, “Assessing capabilities and strengths is necessary in order to explore distant as well as nearby areas; only by understanding the underlying principles can one make use of them effectively.” ” If one wants to achieve something significant, it is necessary to recruit talents from all fields on a wide scale. Zichan of the State of Zheng was someone who knew how to select appropriate people for various tasks. Gongsun Hong was knowledgeable about the four surrounding states and was skilled in debate; Bichen and Feng Jianmao were able to make decisions regarding major matters. Zidu Shumei was handsome and good at writing. When faced with matters related to different states, Zichan would consult Gongsun Hong first, then discuss the matter with Bichen, and subsequently have Feng Jianmao assess the feasibility of the plan. Once something succeeded, Zidu Shumei would be tasked with writing documents to address the guests. The 21st strategy: Disperse and coordinate. Guiguzi said, “Use the power to distribute authority and scatter troops in order to reveal their true strength.” ” A wise person can undermine the alliances of their enemies, thereby strengthening their own power. Strategy 22: Using Deceptive Tactics to Overcome the Enemy. Guiguzi said, “The chapter on deceptive tactics states that to navigate the world and handle affairs, one must first examine similarities and differences, distinguish between right and wrong, understand the nuances of words, be aware of what exists and what does not, determine plans for safety and danger, and clarify relationships between people. Only after that can one weigh the situation carefully. When there are hidden strategies involved, they can then be utilized – through clever words and tactics. These tactics may sometimes seem similar and at other times different; their application might involve using wealth, precious gems, jade, or lands as incentives, or leveraging one’s abilities to gain an advantage, or waiting for opportunities to catch the opponent off guard. To use such tactics in the world, one must assess one’s own capabilities and take into account the fluctuations in the circumstances.” To determine the breadth and narrowness of the terrain, the difficulty of the obstacles, the amount of wealth and resources among the people, as well as the relationships between the lords – who is close and who is distant, who is loved and who is hated – one must carefully consider their intentions, understand their preferences and aversions, and then speak in a way that appeals to their desires. Using clever words, one can lure out their preferences and then use those to control them. When dealing with others, it is necessary to assess their intelligence and abilities, evaluate their financial resources, and gauge their strength; these three factors serve as key elements for dealing with them, for following their lead, and for adapting to their circumstances. This is the essence of using clever tactics. When used on humans, it moves emptyly yet brings something tangible; it remains attached without being lost. By examining its terms, it can be directed forward or backward, east or west, south or north. It can be reversed, it can be turned upside down. ’” In short, what Guiguzi referred to as the \"flying clamp\" is about establishing and controlling a strategic position; it involves using various tactics to create a situation in which the opponent, group, or enemy country is forced to be under my coercion and control and cannot escape, that is, to keep them firmly in my grasp. The 23rd strategy: Understanding the enemy as if one were a god. Guiguzi said, “Remaining completely still, one can yet sense all the enemies in the world; one can know what is known and see what is invisible.” ” Wise people are often able to see through complex phenomena and grasp the true intentions of their enemies. The 24th strategy: Deceive those within. Guiguzi said, “Plan for the beginnings and ends of all things, understand the workings of people’s hearts, and discern the signs of change.” ” Wise people are often able to detect signs of major events in subtle details and uncover their enemies’ schemes. The 25th strategy: The weak can attack the strong. Guiguzi said, “Therefore, the strong build their strength by relying on the weak; those who have resources build on complexity; those with excesses build on uncertainty. This is how such strategies work – softness triumphs over hardness, and thus by building on weakness, one can become strong.” ” Weakness and strength are relative; under certain circumstances, the weak can attack the strong and achieve victory. The 26th strategy: Create something out of nothing. Guiguzi said, “The divine way is one and unified; through change, all kinds of principles can be understood, and there are endless ways to explain these principles.” Although the ways of heaven are obscure, rulers or generals can still use this to deduce the principles behind the changes in all things in the world, and to unravel the endless mysteries. Strategy 27: Castle in the Air. Guiguzi said, “Those who use embellished words are relying on falsehoods; and those who rely on falsehoods only cause loss.” ” A wise man is skilled at using words to create a utopian world, to motivate his own people, and to lure the enemy into a trap. Here, he must make use of his eloquent tongue to present what he says in a way that is extremely appealing and full of charm. Strategy 28: Lead troops with heart. Guiguzi said, “To control one’s heart is to make that person focus their heart on oneself.” ” When leading troops, it is essential to take leadership with heart as the highest principle, ensuring that everyone obeys from the heart. Strategy 29: Kill two birds with one stone. Guiguzi said, “One may use this approach, or that approach.” ； Either by taking action above, or by confronting the enemy below. ” It is better for a strategy to yield multiple effects. Strategy Thirty: Four Thousand Two Hundred Jin. Guiguzi said, “What is meant by measuring power?” He said, “Assess based on size, and plan according to the number.” A commander or general should know both himself and his enemy. In this way, he can overcome great strength with minimal effort. Strategy 31: Winning the enemy with wealth. Guiguzi said, “In all matters, there are internal ways to achieve success; sometimes this success is secured through wealth, and other times through grants of land.” ” Using substantial resources to carry out activities often yields results that cannot be achieved on the battlefield. Strategy 32: Controlling Others’ Actions. Guiguzi said, “It is important to be able to control others, rather than being controlled by them.” ； To rule others means to hold power; to control others means to determine their fate ； It is noble to control others, not to be controlled by others ； He who controls others holds power; he who is controlled by others loses his life. ” Those in power know how to adapt to changing circumstances ； Seize the opportunity and act accordingly; let them show it to me and assist me, so that it is not contested by other countries. One must be able to control others without being controlled oneself – it all depends on taking proactive action. If one person is passive, the entire situation will go wrong. Strategy 33: Secret plans fail to yield results. Guiguzi said, “Those who wish to persuade others should strive to keep things hidden; those who plan actions should aim to act in a manner that is consistent with circumstances.” For a commander or leader to achieve victory in battle, it is essential to keep secrets strictly. The Thirty-fourth Stratagem: Provoking the Emperor’s Anger. Guiguzi said, “Those who manipulate others do so by means of peace, fairness, joy, or anger; anger is a means of provoking action.” ” A wise person can not only persuade the lords with words, but also move the emperor by provoking him, thereby making the emperor influenced by his words. The Thirty-Fifth Strategy: A Plan for Eternity. Guiguzi said, “What can be understood from a distance can be verified by looking back to the past.” ” A wise person, with a far-reaching vision, will not sacrifice the greater for the lesser, nor will they risk their reputation in pursuit of short-term gains. True talent is by no means petty cleverness that seeks immediate gains at the expense of long-term strategies; rather, it involves taking all aspects into consideration while also taking bold actions to create benefits and eliminate drawbacks, being shrewd yet not constrained by conventional patterns. The 36th strategy: The invisible force. Guiguzi said, “Force is the determinant of advantages and disadvantages, as well as the power behind adaptive tactics; those who fail to make use of force do so because they fail to observe things with keen awareness.” ” The circumstances surrounding a situation are very important for a commander or general; he should act quietly when no one else is paying attention, then wait for the right moment to make a remarkable impact. Strategy 37: Courage lies in not fighting. Guiguzi said, “A ruler who wins battles repeatedly does so by avoiding conflict and exerting no effort; as a result, the people do not know how to submit or fear him. The whole world regards such a ruler as divine.” ” Wise and capable individuals are often able to make the enemy lay down arms and seek peace without spending military funds or engaging in battles. Such a person is often compared to a “god” by others. Strategy 38: The Resources of a Ruler. Guiguzi said, “When the various lords engage in conflict with one another, the number is countless; at such times, those who are able to stand their ground are the strongest.” ” When it comes to a matter of life and death, those who stand out should step forward and seize the opportunity to build something great. Strategy 39: There are no eternal enemies. Guiguzi said, “In the world, there is no permanent nobility, nor any constant teacher; one should act in contrast to what is common, using one approach against another – such is the art.” ” Things change constantly; today’s friends may become enemies tomorrow, and today’s enemies might turn into our friends the day after. The fortyth strategy: Subduing others to guide the way. Guiguzi said, “Those who are emotionally connected listen to one another; thus things are grouped according to their categories. Just as kindling tends to burn when brought near fire, dry things catch fire easily, and water poured on flat ground soaks wet surfaces first. Things of similar kinds respond to each other in this way, and hand gestures work on the same principle.” This statement is just like what happens when the inner corresponds to the outer. ” A general or commander, if he wants to persuade and utilize other people’s soldiers, must cater to their preferences in order to make them feel grateful to him. Strategy 41: Attracting talents and gathering the extraordinary. Guiguzi said, “In terms of the use of strategies, public interests are not as effective as private interests; private interests are not as effective as forming alliances, and the best alliances are those without any gaps.” ” There are many types of knots, including internal knots, external knots, living knots, and dead knots. Zhang Liang and Xiang Bo represent \"internal alliances\"; Zhang Yi and Su Qin’s strategies of forming alliances through vertical or horizontal connections represent \"external alliances\". Conquering people with virtue and winning their hearts through kindness, serving the people and seeking benefits for the country – this is what constitutes \"living alliances\". Praising the deceased and comforting their relatives is what falls under \"dead alliances\". Strategy 42: Put oneself in others’ shoes. Guiguzi said, “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire, and do not teach others what they do not know.” ” Do not force others to accept things they do not want, and do not preach to them about things they do not understand. Strategy 43: Turn the situation to one’s advantage. Guiguzi said, “Those who wish to be strong should instead use swords against themselves; those who wish to be high should instead go low; those who wish to take something should instead give it away. This speaks of the art of listening in reverse, as a way to lure others into action.” ” Opposite things not only complement each other but also contain elements of the other within themselves. There are things that seem to be of no benefit to one at first glance, yet in reality they bring great advantages. Strategy 44: Retreat and Observe the Battle. Guiguzi said, “If there is no extreme strength in defense, and no formidable force for resistance, then one can flank and attack from behind.” ” Retreating allows one to observe the situation; strength and weakness can transform into one another. Strategy 45: The Method of Escaping Difficulties. Guiguzi said, “To follow the proper path means to find a way out of dire straits.” ” The ‘Zhong Jing’ chapter in Guiguzi discusses how to rescue those who are in difficult situations or facing emergencies. A person with great ambitions, no matter what circumstances he faces, can hold fast to his beliefs. In order to get out of such situations, he is willing to endure sufferings that others cannot bear and to experience hardships that others cannot face; only in this way can he achieve something significant in life. Strategy 46: Use stillness to overcome movement. Guiguzi said, “Among all females in the world, those who remain calm are able to overcome other females; those who are not calm are considered inferior.” ” The environment is always changing, and there are always disputes among people. In this chaotic world, as long as one maintains a calm mind, one will not fall into a state of confusion. Strategy 47: Spend a fortune to acquire a horse. Guiguzi said, “When using rewards, credibility is of utmost importance. Those who were skilled in this art in ancient times were like those who used hooks to fish in deep waters; by throwing the bait, they would surely catch fish.” ” A monarch should possess good virtues; only in this way can he recruit capable people. Strategy 48: Exploit Weaknesses to Gain Advantage. Guiguzi said, “Those who manipulate others do so by using methods such as fairness, integrity, pleasure, anger, reputation, action, humility, honesty, profit, and lowliness.” Peace means tranquility; integrity means straightness; joy means pleasure; anger means agitation; naming means expression; action means completion; humility means purity; honesty means clarity; seeking profit means striving for it; being lowly means flattery. ” Smart people should know how to use others’ weaknesses to attack them. Strategy 49: Acknowledge merits while overlooking faults. Guiguzi said, “Therefore, the wise do not make use of their own weaknesses, but rather employ the strengths of others. They utilize what they are poor at, and instead rely on what fools are good at; thus, they do not encounter difficulties.” ” A wise monarch should treat his subjects with generosity, remembering their merits more often than their faults; in this way, the subjects will often repay him out of gratitude. The Fiftieth Strategy: Issuing an Edict to Seek Talents. Guiguzi said, “Therefore, the sage waits patiently for those of virtue, examines their words carefully, and brings them together in appropriate settings.” ” Wise people should find ways to attract talent. Strategy 51: The Strategy Behind One’s Back. Guiguzi said, “To leave something behind means to include words that prompt further reflection.” ” Wise and virtuous people are often remembered with deep affection even after they pass away. The fifty-second strategy: Retreating troops and controlling them. Guiguzi said, “There is a technique for retreating troops, and there is a method for controlling them; one need not rely on armor and weapons when entering battle.” ” For as long as the heart remains peaceful and one practices kindness, even if acting alone, the commander will respect such a virtuous soldier, and the troops will admire his virtues; with such reverence, how could anyone dare to harm him? There is a threshold between life and death; in moments of movement and stillness, there are passages in and out. For those who know how to control them, every place becomes a path leading to creation ； Wherever one goes, it is a place of certain death for me ； Wherever it goes, inside or outside, it never finds death. For example, Lu Xing did not encounter a fierce tiger, which is indeed proof that he was in a situation where death was not possible. Without methods to track distant beasts, and without techniques to restrict them, it is not possible. The fifty-third strategy: The greatest sage is invincible. Guiguzi said, “Those who are good at adapting understand the terrain thoroughly; by doing so, they can connect with the heavens and influence the four seasons, as well as control ghosts and spirits.” ” Capable individuals can examine the geographical environment in detail; they are also proficient in astronomy and celestial phenomena, and able to make use of all things in the world according to the changes of the seasons. Strategy 54: Attack the country and its enemy. Guiguzi said, “Those who can control others hold power in their hands.” ” In the view of Guiguzi, when attacking an enemy country, it is also necessary to launch attacks on that country’s defenses. Strategy 55: Balance of Forces. Guiguzi said, “A small amount can be used to gain the support of many; thus, what is insufficient when accumulated can become sufficient.” ” All things in the world are both opposite and identical. Strategy 56: Concealment as a means to reveal truth. Guiguzi said, “In the art of using people, one must do so in a concealed manner. There is a way established by ancient kings, as well as strategies devised by wise and intelligent people; these involve understanding people’s feelings and remaining hidden, without seeking anything outright. This is the fundamental principle behind such strategies.” ” Wise people tend not to flaunt their strengths everywhere, but rather keep them to themselves. Strategy 57: Winning by Ambush. Guiguzi said, “When a bear hunts, it must first lie in ambush before taking action; before making any move, it must first strengthen its resolve, hiding its intentions while observing the situation.” ” Wise people are not only skilled at deploying troops on the battlefield, but also adept at using hidden forces to secure victory. Strategy 58: Overcorrection. Guiguzi said, “When a sage sees the beginnings of problems or gaps, he addresses them with laws. If the world can be brought under control, he uses those laws to seal those gaps; if it cannot be controlled, he still uses those laws to address the issues.” ” A wise person, once a crisis arises in governance, must use national laws to resolve it; if the situation is particularly dangerous, he must employ strict criminal laws to deal with the chaotic situations that arise. Strategy 59: Use strength to avoid confrontation. Guiguzi said, “Those who were skilled at manipulating the world in ancient times would first assess the balance of power in the world; without a proper assessment of this balance, it is impossible to determine what is strong and what is weak, what is heavy and what is light.” ” Wise people should have a clear understanding of the difference between the strong and the weak, and know how to avoid the strong and turn to the weak. The Sixtyth Strategy: Luring the Enemy. Guiguzi said, “What the sages use to lure others, the foolish as well as the wise will not doubt.” ” When dealing with the foolish, the sage conceals things from them; when dealing with the wise, he guides them with emotions. Strategy 61: Indirect Observation. Guiguzi said, “Determine what exists and what does not, by examining its strength and weakness; understand its intentions by observing its desires.” ” To determine whether a person is genuine or not, we often judge based on the hobbies and temperament they exhibit in their daily life. Strategy 62: Raising a tiger to cause trouble. Guiguzi said, “Therefore, the victor focuses on his offensive tactics; if he presses forward without knowing when to retreat, the weak party, upon seeing his weaknesses and injuries, becomes twice as strong – and death is the consequence.” ” If the victor loses his head over a temporary victory and focuses only on showing off his success, without striving to continue pursuing the enemy, it will surely bring disaster upon him. On the other hand, the weaker party, once it recovers from the setback and works hard, will see its strength grow to unprecedented levels. Strategy 63: The Great Harm of Subjectivity. Guiguzi said, “What is united without becoming bound is one in which the yang aspects are close while the yin aspects remain distant; there are situations where unity is not possible, and the sage does not engage in planning for such cases.” ” There are some things that seem to be going well on the surface, but in reality the situation is exactly the opposite. This requires wise people to avoid making the mistake of acting based on subjective opinions; instead, they need to immerse themselves in real life, conduct investigations, and understand the truth. Otherwise, acting solely on subjective desires will inevitably harm both others and oneself. Strategy 64: To gain control over someone, Guiguzi said: “Use symbols to influence them, respond to their intentions, understand their feelings, and then guide them accordingly.” ” If we want to get something from the other party, we must first give something in return; only in this way can we achieve our goal. Strategy 65: Make good use of the enemy. Guiguzi said, “Those who were skilled at fishing in ancient times were like those who held a hook over a deep abyss; by throwing bait in, they would surely catch fish.” ” In war, a monarch or commander must not only be able to employ talented people on their own side, but also take advantage of the conflicts within the enemy force in order to turn some of those enemies against their own side. Strategy 66: It’s hard to make a sound with one hand only. Guiguzi said, “Go without leaving a trace, return without any connection; come and go alone, and no one can stop you.” ” A large number of people doesn’t necessarily guarantee victory; even a single voice can make a sound. As long as the truth is in our hands, we will be invincible in the world. Strategy 67: Utilize Interests. Guiguzi said, “Use words that serve as hooks to capture them; sometimes wealth, precious items, pearls, and jade are used to entice them, or titles and lands may be offered to do so. Alternatively, one can exploit their abilities to create a situation that allows for their capture.” ” To make the other party listen to you, you must show them the advantages and disadvantages. Strategy 68: Create an enemy. Guiguzi said, “To engage in combat is to confront the strong.” ” By \"enemy,\" we mean a force that holds hostility toward one’s self; without such a hostile force, there can be no \"balance of opposites.\" In one’s career, it is necessary to have a hypothetical enemy – by overcoming this hypothetical enemy in the future, one will continue to strive and make progress. Strategy 69: Learn from the enemy. Guiguzi said, “By applying this to people and testing it before chaos arises, I return to sincerity.” ” A visionary and ambitious commander not only takes the sages as his teachers, but sometimes also knows how to learn from the enemy*. Strategy 70: Spreading rumors through word of mouth. Guiguzi said, “Even solid metals can be melted by many mouths; this is because people’s words often carry personal biases.” ” There are many people who, upon hearing that someone is highly praised, treat that person as an idol; they accept everything that person says and does without questioning whether those words and actions are truly accurate. Those who praise the person may not even know them well, and those who hear about them then spread errors further. Strategy 71: Infiltrate the core. Guiguzi said, “If authority is excessive internally and actions are taken through manipulation, then power will dissipate.” ” A wise person, skilled at seizing opportunities, sends agents deep into the enemy’s heart, often achieving unexpected victories. Strategy 72: Achieving the ultimate goal. Guiguzi said, “The true sage is one who is one with heaven; those who understand this principle achieve it through inner cultivation, and such people are called sages.” ” Only through long-term cultivation can a person attain harmony with the \"Tao\"; those who reach such a state are called \"true men\". In the view of Guiguzi, people exist between heaven and earth; their innate nature at birth is not very different. It is only after birth that, due to varying environments, they develop into people with different personalities.