advance by an inch but retreat by a foot -- to lose much more than what one gets

advance by an inch but retreat by a foot -- to lose much more than what one gets

One inch in, one foot back. This is a metaphor for getting less and losing more. Chapter 69 of Lao Tzu: "there is a saying in the use of military force. I dare not serve as a guest for the Lord, and dare not enter the inch but retreat from the ruler. It is said that action has no action."

Idiom explanation

Step in and step back. This is a metaphor for getting less and losing more.

Idioms and allusions

[example] misfortune, slander, and nothing. There is a saying in the book of Li Shilang of shangbingbu written by Han Yu of Tang Dynasty: I dare not be the Lord (1), but the guest (2); I dare not enter the inch, but retreat the ruler. It means that there is no action (3), no arm (4), no enemy (5) and no soldier (6). There is no greater misfortune than to despise the enemy. Therefore, the resistance soldiers are similar (7), and those who mourn (8) win. "I dare not take the initiative to invade, but take the defensive; I dare not take a step forward, but rather retreat a foot," said the soldier This is called "although there is a formation, it is like there is no formation to swing; although we have to fight, it is like there is no arm to lift; although we face the enemy, it is like there is no enemy to fight; although we have weapons, it is like there is no weapon to hold.". There is no greater calamity than despising the enemy. Despising the enemy has almost lost my "three treasures". Therefore, when the strength of the two armies is equal, the grieving side can win. Main: take the initiative to attack and invade the enemy. 2. Be a guest: retreat passively and have no choice but to meet the enemy. 3. Line without line: line, line, formation. Although there is a formation, it seems that there is no formation. No arm: it means to work hard, but it's like having no arm to lift. Throwing invincible: it means that although facing the enemy, it is like there is no enemy to go to. 6. Zhiwubing: soldiers, weapons. Although there are weapons, it's like there are no weapons to hold. The two armies are equal. AI: min, CI.

Discrimination of words

This chapter is still from the perspective of military science to talk about the philosophy of advancing from retreat. Lao Tzu thought that war should be based on defense and win by defense, which showed Lao Tzu's thought of opposing war, and also showed Lao Tzu's principle of retreat and subordination in his philosophy of life. This chapter talks about the inspiration of "if you are sad, you will win, if you are proud, you will lose", which has become a famous military saying of military strategists through the ages. This chapter and the first two chapters are corresponding, both of which are to clarify the Enlightenment of grief, kindness and softness, so as to show the virtue of indisputability.