02.007 Then even the wisest of counsels...

[sonshi]

Then even the wisest of counsels would not be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.

[markb287]

"Then even the wisest of counsels would not be able to avert the consequences that must ensue."-Sun-tzu.

Basically this means that you can't be saved if this happens from anything.

This excerpt must be read in light of 02.006.

By committing troops to an exhausting and protracted battle or war, the strength of a nation could decline over time as resources are consumed. And when this happens other nations may perceive one to be ripe for the taking, or, if not out right taking, then making inroads and challenging one's national interests and geostrategic influence.

For instance, as the USA was bogged down in Vietnam, the Soviet Union was making inroads into Latin America and solidifying (on the surface at least) its position in eastern Europe.

-BingFa

[willatlasshrug]

In a company that has lost it's focus, executed poorly (possibly damaging it's reputation), and squandered it's resources to the point that competitors are taking advantage of the situation, even a great leader can't fix the situation.

Without luck or something like it, anyway.

Originally posted by sonshi
Then even the wisest of counsels would not be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.

Regardless of one's organization position in the market, the lack of resources can ensure you can lose that position pretty damm quick. [Earlier note]


Brains isn't going to help either if one does not have the resources.

In the [PRO] game, a "well-talented" team can wins with a dumb coach. And a "talent-challenged" team can loses with a smart coach.

[gonzo]

I believe that this means that if you leave yourself wide open, that a potential opponent will move in for the kill no matter what diplomatic avenues you may try to pursue.

Gonzo

[MonteChristo]

If you are exposed then sooner or later someone will take the opportunity and attack your exposed positions. As Gichin Funakoshi said: “There is no advantage when attacking”. When you do so, make sure that you become balanced as quickly as you can. Consider timing of the campaign and make sure that you will be able to counteract.

[HALBLEU]

The Supreme Strategist General (SSG) knows that protracted war can destory him faster than a major attack from his or her enemy

While his army always needs a constant flow of resources to combat. He needs to plan for a swift victory.

Sun Tzu said, "Then even the wisest of counsels would not be able to avert the consequences that must ensue."

If the resources are gone there will be nothing left to support an army with. Economy must be used at all times to ensure that there will always be a reserve to support contingencies.

"Then even the wisest of counsels would not be able to avert the consequences that must ensue. "

when the situation is totally compromized, no one can win the day.

[Dan]

Then even the wisest of counsels would not be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.

As I posted in the passage before this. If a second enemy decides to attack you in a prolonged war, your doomed. There is no way to win, you have been beaten.

[dej2]

"Even though you have wise generals, they will not be able to achieve a good result."

As stated with the previous exercise “when weapons have grown dull and spirits depressed, when our strength has been expended and resources consumed, then the feudal lords will take advantage of our exhaustion to arise.” “Even though you have wise generals, they will not be able to achieve a good result.”

When your forces are weak and diminished do not push them to achieve victory. This may be a good time to retreat and regroup. If you were wise enough to have saved enough supplies and fresh troops your reserves you may be able to survive the onslaught that may follow your dishonorable defeat. Then you may be lucky enough to survive a beheading, when you're dismissed from service.

I would like to interject the role of destiny in this discussion. What if defeat is a prerequisit in order to fulful desiny. Although I tend to not learn from my beatings I would hope that others have a more developed ability to reassess battles that are going poorly and reassess or limit damage.

Also in the context of the discusion which are not of life and death issue say more of psycological or psyce ego based one up manship. Whats wrong with a little pain as a result of poor preparation for misguided battles which are not sponsored by correct motives...Really how are people supposed to learn basic tenants of modern or classic morality with out some form of real consequences..if only at the ego level.

I personally am thankful for these consequences and their predability. I find it gives me some framework from which I can engage in some form of analysis of my current situation and deploy more effective countermeasres which can help over time ease a seige mentality and hopefully with a higher degeree of probality lead to a more peaceful serene life style that is not in the absence of conlict but allows a measure of confidence when conflicts enevitabilty arise.

pawn11

[Caligula]

You asked, "Really how are people supposed to learn basic tenants of modern or classic morality with out some form of real consequences."

You have a good point about needing to experience the consequences of mistakes to learn not to repeat them. I just wanted to mention that there is another way of learning without having to suffer the consequences: sympathy.

By watching others make mistakes and suffer we are able to sympathize with them, to imagine what it would be like to be in their position. This is a great tool for learning. It not only teaches us but also it is painless to us. Though suffering consequences would be more effective by far, the tradeoff isn't so great and in some cases can cause lifelong repercussions.

An example would be someone who is drinking and driving and gets in a wreck, looses both legs and their skin is badly burned. Though you can be sure they'll never drink and drive again, the consequences were pretty extreme. On the other hand, you and I can learn almost the same lesson as that guy by sympathizing with him but we still have our legs!

Probably an even better tool than sympathizing is straight up theory (the very point of our advanced evolved intelligence) because nobody has to get hurt. By using the super powered brains that nature gave us we can process individual images into a synthesized car accident. We then synthesize the results, the odds, and so on to come to a conclusion that "drinking and driving is bad." This of course can sometimes prove to be ineffective though, since in some cases there is no previous direct negative association (such as loosing one's legs or seeing it happen to someone else), we tend to not be as afraid. Which is why we have drivers educations classes; to implant images of destroyed vehicles and such to create that negative association to add that feeling of fear when doing that synthesizing bit.

I've probably used way to many words to say something so simple but you get the point.

[waterbearer]

Then even the wisest of counsels would not be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.


Wisdom cannot replace the armed capacity to conduct tactical operations. When the capacity to conduct war is expended, wisdom does not suffice for bullets.