The Thirty-Six Stratagems | Episode 36: Running Away is the Best Stratagem - Why 'Deciding to Flee' Can Be the Best Choice

Continuing to fight is
not always the right thing to do.
Sometimes, people

- do not want to admit defeat
- do not want to waste the losses incurred so far
- think that running away is shameful

Because of these emotions,
they proceed toward an even deeper defeat.

However, military strategy
sometimes points in the exact opposite direction.

If you cannot win the battle, survive.

[Meaning of the Thirty-Sixth Stratagem]

　Running Away is the Best Stratagem(Soui Joukei):
　A strategy where, when the situation is overwhelmingly unfavorable, you do not force yourself to keep fighting,
　but instead retreat and prioritize survival.

What is important is
that "running away" does not equal "defeat."

- Minimize losses
- Preserve fighting strength
- Keep the possibility of a comeback alive
- Wait for the next opportunity

In other words,

rather than "winning now,"
prioritize

"surviving for the future."
This is what Running Away is the Best Stratagem means.

[Modern Translation]

People are bad at retreating.
This is because

- pride
- attachment
- past investments
- the eyes of others

dull their judgment.
For example,

- unable to stop a loss-making business
- unable to cut off losing investments
- attached to collapsed human relationships
- unable to admit failure

Then people,

while saying,

"I've come this far,"
further expand their losses.
There is a structure here.

- Misidentifying retreat as defeat
- Emotions overriding rationality
- Delaying loss-cutting
- Situation worsening

As a result,
what could have been a minor injury
turns into a fatal wound.

In other words, Running Away is the Best Stratagem is

"a strategy to preserve the future, not to abandon the contest"
.

[Historical Example]

Around 202 BC, China.
The Chu-Han Contention between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang.

Xiang Yu, despite possessing overwhelming martial prowess,
was gradually driven into a disadvantageous position during the long war.

- Exhausted logistics
- Defection of allies
- Lack of supplies
- Encirclement progressing

However, Xiang Yu
did not choose to retreat.
In the end, he was completely surrounded at Gaixia.

Amidst the songs of Chu from all sides,
he still attempted a frontal breakthrough,
but the war situation did not change.
As a result, Xiang Yu committed suicide.

On the other hand, Liu Bang was different.
He would retreat when at a disadvantage,
and advance when at an advantage.

- Endurance when he could not win
- Retreat when in danger
- Counterattack after regrouping

He repeated this.

The one who ultimately survived
was the side that chose the "way of fighting without losing."

This is Running Away is the Best Stratagem.

[Business Example]

A mid-sized manufacturer
was making a huge investment in a new business.
Initially, expectations were high,

and
- market growth forecasts
- large order prospects

- media exposure
continued.

However, a few years later, the situation changed.
- Competitor entry
- Price drops
- Demand slowdown

- Deficit expansion
Within the company, talk of withdrawal began to emerge.
However, the management could not make a decision.

The reason was simple.
- Large amount already invested
- Did not want to admit failure
- It was the president's project

- Withdrawal looked like "defeat"

As a result,
- additional investment
- deficit expansion
- capital outflow

- deterioration of core business
developed.Ultimately, the entire company fell into a management crisis.

Why did this company widen its wounds?

In this company, the "decision to withdraw" was delayed.
What is important is not the initial failure.
It is that they could not withdraw after the failure.

- Attachment to past investments
- Emotions dominating judgment
- Prioritizing face
- Protecting the past rather than the future

Then, decision-making becomes distorted.
As a result,

- small losses become huge
- progress toward a state of inability to withdraw
- total resources consumed

occurred.
In other words, the problem is not that they lost.

"Not being able to admit defeat"
became the fatal wound.

[Commentary]

This corporate manager
should have understood the following.

1. "Withdrawal is a strategy"

Judge based on rationality,
not emotion.

2. "Cutting losses protects the future"

A small withdrawal
leads to great survival.

3. "Past investments do not return"

Do not use costs already spent
as a criterion for judgment

4. "Only those who survive can try again"

Once you collapse,
there is no next time.

This company did not fail
solely due to a lack of ability.

It self-destructed because it
made the wrong decision to withdraw.

This is what 'Running Away is the Best Stratagem' means.

[Management Application Examples]

1. Management

Decide on withdrawal criteria in advance.

2. Investment

Decide on the conditions for
'when to cut losses' beforehand.

3. Personal

Have the courage to walk away from broken relationships and environments.

What they all have in common is
'prioritizing survival'.

[Core Message]

Running away is not defeat.
It is the most rational strategy
to protect the future.

[Summary]

'Running Away is the Best Stratagem' is
not a cowardly strategy.

It is achieved by:
- Not fighting unnecessarily
- Limiting losses
- Leaving the possibility of a comeback

- Conserving resources for the future
And even today, it is necessary in

- Management
- Investment
- Organizations
- Human relationships

in all situations.
What is truly dangerous is not losing.

It is 'not being able to withdraw'.

Thank you for following the 'Thirty-Six Stratagems' series.
This post is the final episode.
As a summary of [The Sixth Set: Defeat Stratagems],

Thirty-Six Stratagems | Special Episode 11: Practical Examples 'Questions' ➤ Posting on 5/16
Thirty-Six Stratagems | Special Episode 12: Practical Examples 'Answers' ➤ Posting on 5/17

will be posted.
Starting May 18, 2026, I will post the'Great Figures of the World Series'which was posted irregularly,
as the next series.

➤ Great Figures of the World Series | Episode 5: Akio Morita (SONY Founder)

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