# Not underestimating the other side: summary

Describes a receptive and restrained military stance and warns against underestimating the other side.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi/chapter-69-not-underestimating-the-other-side

## Source and summary

[Laozi · Dao De Jing · Not underestimating the other side](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E9%81%93%E5%BE%B7%E7%B6%93%20%28%E7%8E%8B%E5%BC%BC%E6%9C%AC%29&oldid=2354026#%E5%85%AD%E5%8D%81%E4%B9%9D%E7%AB%A0)

> 用兵有言﹕「吾不敢為主而為客，不敢進寸而退尺。」是謂行無行，

Describes a receptive and restrained military stance and warns against underestimating the other side.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

Assess a small competitor or a junior colleague’s proposal by customer value and evidence using the same criteria.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using not underestimating the other side, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[Laozi: a guide to the Dao De Jing](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/laozi/chapter-69-not-underestimating-the-other-side.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0