How to Read “三十六計逃げるに如かず”
Sanjūrokkei nigeru ni shikazu
Meaning of “三十六計逃げるに如かず”
The original meaning of this proverb is: “When all strategies and means have been exhausted and the situation cannot be resolved, making a clean retreat is the most wise judgment.”
This is not simply advocating for “running away.” Rather, it teaches the importance of strategic retreat based on calm situational judgment. The teaching is that it is wiser to temporarily withdraw, reorganize one’s position, and wait for a better opportunity, rather than continuing a reckless battle and suffering great losses.
In business situations, this applies to decisions to withdraw from unfavorable negotiations or retreat from high-risk projects. In human relationships as well, when emotional conflicts intensify, temporarily taking distance and establishing a cooling-off period can sometimes lead to finding more constructive solutions.
The reason for using this expression is to emphasize that the choice of retreat is never something to be ashamed of, but rather a courageous and wise judgment. Even in modern society, this calm judgment and flexibility are valued as very precious qualities.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is said to originate from the phrase “Thirty-six strategies, fleeing is the best strategy” recorded in the Chinese classic “Book of Southern Qi.” The “thirty-six strategies” refers to military tactics systematized in ancient China, and there actually existed thirty-six specific tactics.
What’s interesting is that within these “thirty-six strategies,” “fleeing is the best strategy” was actually positioned as the final thirty-sixth strategy. In other words, “retreat” was listed as the ultimate measure after trying all other strategies.
Chinese military treatises were introduced to Japan from the Heian to Kamakura periods along with Buddhism and Confucianism, and were highly valued among the warrior class. During the Warring States period, many military commanders are thought to have studied such military tactics and applied them in actual combat.
In the Edo period, Chinese-origin maxims spread not only among warriors but also among merchants and common people, becoming familiar as everyday wisdom for navigating life. “Thirty-six strategies fleeing surpasses” also became established as a Japanese proverb within this flow. The reason it continues to be used today is precisely because it contains universal wisdom that transcends time.
Interesting Facts
Among the “thirty-six strategies,” there are tactics that are still well-known today. For example, the “beauty trap” and “empty fort strategy” are still sometimes used as metaphorical expressions.
Interestingly, the number “thirty-six” was used in China as a symbolic number representing “completeness,” and it’s thought that rather than the actual number of strategies, it had a stronger meaning of “all possible means.”
Usage Examples
- The other party’s conditions for this project are too harsh, so let’s apply “Thirty-six strategies fleeing surpasses” and return it to a blank slate for now
- My relationship with my boss has become complicated, so I applied “Thirty-six strategies fleeing surpasses” and requested a department transfer
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, I feel the value of this proverb has increased even more. In our information society, we are constantly faced with many choices and decisions, but sometimes “the courage to quit” and “the judgment to withdraw” become most important.
Especially in the modern era where social media has spread, when caught up in online disputes or controversies, it’s often wiser to step away from the situation once rather than continue responding emotionally. This could be called the digital age version of “Thirty-six strategies fleeing surpasses.”
In the business world too, startup company “pivots” (business direction changes) and large corporations’ withdrawal from unprofitable businesses are increasingly becoming keys to success. These can be said to be practical examples of the modern version of “Thirty-six strategies fleeing surpasses.”
On the other hand, modern society also strongly values “never giving up” and “persevering to the end,” which sometimes leads to misunderstanding of this proverb’s true meaning. However, understanding the original meaning reveals that this is not a passive attitude at all, but rather an active strategy based on a long-term perspective.
In our increasingly globalized modern world, flexibility and adaptability have become more important qualities, and the teaching of this proverb is wisdom that is needed now more than ever.
When AI Hears This
The “retreat” in “Of the thirty-six strategies, retreat is the best” is essentially what modern business calls a “strategic withdrawal.” In the startup world, the ability to quickly pivot when an initial business model hits a dead end is considered key to success. Twitter emerged from the podcasting platform From, and Instagram was born from the check-in app Burbn. These weren’t “escapes” but strategic decisions based on clear-headed analysis of the situation.
The same principle applies in investing, where the ability to cut losses quickly before they expand separates professionals from amateurs. Behavioral economics has proven that humans have an extreme aversion to realizing losses—a bias called “loss aversion”—but successful investors are those who overcome this psychological trap.
Even in military strategy, the Dunkirk evacuation during World War II was called the “miracle of deliverance,” saving 340,000 British troops. This wasn’t a defeat but a foundation for greater victory to come.
It’s no coincidence that ancient Chinese military strategy reaches the same conclusions as modern management theory and investment principles. There’s a timeless universality to rational human judgment, and the ability to set aside emotional stubbornness and pride to objectively assess situations is what true wisdom looks like.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us modern people is that “wise retreat is the first step toward new possibilities.” No matter what difficult situation you’re currently facing, stepping back from it is never defeat.
In modern society, we can apply this wisdom in various situations: social media disputes, workplace relationships, romantic relationships, and even investments and business ventures. What’s important is having the eye to calmly assess situations before making emotional misjudgments.
Sometimes “the courage to quit” is more necessary than “the courage to continue.” This is not weakness, but a strategic choice toward larger goals. Through temporary retreat, you might gain the opportunity to re-challenge under better conditions.
Life is like a long marathon. Don’t become too fixated on victory or defeat in one scene, but maintain the composure to see the whole picture. I hope that the wisdom of this proverb becomes a key that opens new doors in your life.
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