The Best Stratagem

It is said in the 36 Stratagems (三十六計), the best is retreat (走爲上計). Like all cryptic ancient Chinese axioms, there are multiple ways to interpret this.

This stratagem #36 originated from 『檀公三十六策，走是上計。汝父子唯應急走耳。』which translates to "of the thirty-six stratagems of Lord Tán, retreat was his best, you father and son should run for sure". The person who said it was a rebel, and was making fun of the Emperor and the Crown Prince for running away from his rebellion, just as Lord Tan (檀公) had cowardly retreated earlier in history.

Sometimes, fear is the appropriate response.

The game is not over until you are dead, and defeat is always just a temporary setback, while you pick yourself up again. We know from history that the "cowardly" Crown Prince got the last laugh, as his empire eventually annihilated the rebellion.

Stubbornness makes great entrepreneurs, but if you know things are broken and cannot scale up, then GTFO ASAP. At the right times, the best stratagem is the retreat stratagem. Regroup and rebuild, then go out and kick some ass.