［引言］
孫子曰：昔之善戰者，先為不可勝，以待敵之可勝。不可勝在己，可勝在敵。故曰：勝可知，而不可為。
面對競爭，學習山的守靜不動，
先求敵不勝我，這是我可做的，
若求我能勝敵，這不在我掌握，
彼進我退，彼剛我柔，容乃全。
［說明］
孫子在《孫子兵法》中強調，真正擅長戰爭的人，會先讓自己立於不敗之地，然後再等待敵人露出破綻，創造勝利的機會。他指出：「不可勝在己，可勝在敵。」這意味著，一方能否被擊敗，取決於自身的準備與防禦，而能否戰勝對手，則取決於敵人的錯誤或漏洞。因此，勝利雖然可以預測，卻無法強求，必須透過謹慎的布局與耐心等待來達成。
在競爭中，最重要的策略是學習山的穩固與沉靜，先確保自身穩定，不讓對手找到可乘之機。這與「先求敵不勝我」的道理相同，專注於強化自身的實力與防禦，使對方無法擊敗自己。相對地，若一開始便急於戰勝對手，這種勝利並非完全掌握在自己手中，而是依賴敵方的失誤，因此難以確保長久的優勢。
面對競爭，應該靈活運用剛柔相濟的策略。「彼進我退，彼剛我柔」，這種以退為進、以柔克剛的戰法，不僅能保存自身實力，還能利用敵方的動作來累積優勢。競爭並非純粹的對抗，而是需要耐心與智慧的較量，懂得容忍與適時退讓，才能在動盪中保全自己，並在適當的時機創造勝機。這正是孫子所說的「容乃全」，即透過靈活應變與審時度勢，使自己在競爭中長久立於不敗之地。
Sun Tzu, in The Art of War, emphasizes that true masters of warfare first ensure they are in an invincible position before waiting for the enemy to expose weaknesses. He states, “Invincibility lies in oneself, victory lies in the enemy.” This means that whether one can be defeated depends on their own preparation and defense, while whether one can defeat the opponent depends on the opponent’s mistakes or vulnerabilities. Thus, while victory can be anticipated, it cannot be forced; it must be achieved through careful planning and patient waiting.
In competition, the most crucial strategy is to learn from the mountain’s stability and stillness—ensuring one’s own security before engaging with the opponent. This aligns with the principle of “first ensuring the enemy cannot defeat me.” The key is to strengthen one’s own position and defense so that the opponent finds no opportunity to attack. Conversely, if one seeks immediate victory, success depends on the enemy’s missteps, making it an uncertain and unreliable advantage.
Facing competition requires a balance of flexibility and resilience. “If they advance, I retreat; if they are rigid, I remain soft.” This approach, known as overcoming hardness with softness, not only preserves one’s strength but also allows for the accumulation of advantages through the enemy’s actions. Competition is not merely about direct confrontation; it demands patience and strategic thinking. Understanding when to endure and when to withdraw is essential for long-term success. This is precisely what Sun Tzu refers to as “true preservation lies in adaptability.” By responding flexibly and assessing the situation wisely, one can maintain a position of invulnerability and seize opportunities for victory at the right moment.
