Surrendering can be a tool of power. When you’re weaker, surrender rather than fighting for the sake of honor. This gives you time to build strength and undermine your victor, while you wait for his power to weaken. You’ll win in the end. You can transform weakness into power.
Principles of Law 22
It may seem counterintuitive, but surrendering to your opponents can be the best course because it puts you in a position of control.
People typically overreact to opponents’ actions, which escalates their problems. Your first instinct will be to respond to aggression with greater aggression. But your enemy will step up his aggression in turn. If you’re the weaker party, you’ll be decimated.
According to Law 22 of the 48 Laws of Power, a wiser and more effective tactic is to surrender, to turn the other cheek. That halts your opponent’s aggression and confuses her, while giving you the upper hand. While your opponent is lulled into thinking she’s defeated you, you now have the space to build your strength, discover your enemy’s weaknesses, and plan revenge. This is how to use the surrender tactic.
On the surface, you appear compliant, but inwardly you’re standing firm. It requires self-control to play dead long enough to make your opponent think she’s defeated you. If you get up too soon, you’ll ruin the charade and end up suffering.
Sometimes when overpowered by an enemy, it’s tempting to run. But eventually, he’ll catch up with you and crush you. Instead, stay close enough to strike when you’re ready.
In ancient China, a king, Goujian, lost a battle to the ruler of Wu. Rather than fleeing, he gave the victor his riches and went to work in Wu’s stables, where he could watch and learn how to defeat him in the future. Eventually, he was allowed to return home, and when the kingdom of Wu was undermined by drought and infighting, Goujian attacked and won easily.
Power fluctuates. The person on top today will eventually fall. Surrender often puts you in the best position to benefit when the crash inevitably comes. You can transform weakness into power.