PARTISAN WISDOM (ONGOING)

MEI YAO-CHEN: ‘‘When confronted by the enemy, respond to changing circumstances and devise expedients. How can these be discussed beforehand?’’

ANSWER: ‘‘If the estimates made in the temple prior to hostilities indicate victory it is because calculations show one’s strength to be superior to that of his enemy. If they indicate defeat it is because calculations show that one is inferior. With many calculations, one can win - with few one cannot. How much less chance of victory has one who makes none at all.’’

- SUN TZU, verse 28