Ebb and Flow – “The river does not fight the pull of the moon; it retreats when the tide ebbs and advances when it flows. Strategy is not a battle against reality, but a dance with it.”
The “Ebb and Flow” principle uses the analogy of a river not fighting the pull of the moon but retreating and advancing with the tide. It implies that strategy shouldn’t be a battle against reality, but instead, one should adjust and adapt to circumstances, working with them rather than trying to resist them. In essence, strategy should be like a dance with reality, responding to its changing rhythms.
Applying the Principle to Political Power
In politics, the “Ebb and Flow” principle suggests that political leaders should remain adaptable and flexible, adjusting their strategies to reflect the changing social, economic, and political tides. They should not stubbornly cling to outdated policies when circumstances have changed. By reading and reacting to these shifts, they can steer their political agenda more effectively, working with the current of public opinion and socio-political trends instead of against them.
Historical Example
The Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage provide a compelling example of the “Ebb and Flow” principle in action. Roman General Scipio Africanus, realizing the strength of the Carthaginian forces in a head-on conflict, did not attempt to fight this reality. Instead, he chose to dance with it.
Scipio changed the course of the war by shifting the battlefield from Italy to North Africa, attacking Carthage itself. This strategic move disrupted the Carthaginians, forcing them to withdraw their forces from Italy to defend their home territory. In the decisive Battle of Zama in 202 BC, Scipio’s forces defeated the Carthaginians, marking a significant turning point in the Second Punic War.
Scipio Africanus’s strategies during the Punic Wars illustrate the “Ebb and Flow” principle, showing how adapting to reality and shifting strategies accordingly can alter the course of a conflict.
[Black Watch | Scrolls of Shunya | Scroll of the Obsidian River]
Last Modified: 11/05/2023