The Stealthy Serpent – “The serpent glides unheard through the grass, invisible until its fangs strike the unwary prey. Be like the serpent in your engagements, unseen and unheard until your presence is undeniable.”
“The Stealthy Serpent” metaphor stresses the importance of subtlety and strategic surprise in our engagements. The principle advises us to move in an unseen and unnoticed manner, like a serpent sliding silently through the grass. It’s about maintaining a low profile until it’s time to strike, catching our opponents off guard, and making our presence and impact undeniable and decisive.
Applying the Principle to Political Power
“The Stealthy Serpent” principle can be a powerful tactic in the political realm. A politician or a political movement can work quietly behind the scenes, gradually building alliances, garnering support, and carefully crafting strategies. By remaining somewhat in the background, a political figure can avoid attracting unnecessary attention or opposition too early in the process. Once the groundwork is laid and the time is right, they can suddenly emerge and take decisive action, their impact made all the more potent by the element of surprise.
Historical Example
One compelling illustration of this principle comes from the Warring States period in ancient China, a time marked by constant warfare and political maneuvering. Sun Bin, a famed military strategist, applied the principle of “The Stealthy Serpent” in the Battle of Maling in 342 BC.
At the time, the State of Qi was at war with the State of Wei. The Wei commander, Pang Juan, was confident in his forces’ strength and expected a direct confrontation. Sun Bin, however, had other plans. He pretended to retreat, leaving behind a trail of campfires that suggested his army was still present. Meanwhile, he silently moved his troops through a different route, just as a serpent moves unnoticed through the grass.
Pang Juan, deceived by the ruse, led his troops into an ambush set up by Sun Bin. The Qi forces, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, dealt a crushing blow to the Wei army. Sun Bin’s stealthy approach perfectly exemplifies the “Stealthy Serpent” principle, showing how the element of surprise can decisively turn the tide in warfare.
[Black Watch | Scrolls of Shunya | Scroll of the Silent Winds]
Last Modified: 10/22/2023