Hey guys! Ever heard of the 36 Stratagems? It's this super old collection of Chinese proverbs and military tactics that are, like, seriously insightful. We're talking centuries-old wisdom that's still relevant today, whether you're navigating the workplace, dealing with tricky relationships, or just trying to get ahead in life. Think of it as your ancient Chinese cheat sheet to success! So, buckle up as we dive into these amazing strategies and figure out how to use them in our everyday lives. Ready to unlock some serious wisdom? Let's get started!

What are the 36 Stratagems?

The 36 Stratagems are a collection of Chinese military and philosophical strategies. Attributed to ancient Chinese military and political history, these stratagems are more than just war tactics; they are profound insights into human behavior, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. Imagine them as a set of guidelines for navigating complex situations, outsmarting opponents, and achieving your goals, all wrapped up in concise, memorable proverbs. The origin of these stratagems is debated, but they gained prominence through various historical military texts and oral traditions. They were compiled and popularized over time, becoming a cornerstone of Chinese strategic thought. Each stratagem offers a unique approach to overcoming challenges, emphasizing adaptability, deception, and the importance of understanding your adversary. Whether you're negotiating a business deal, resolving a conflict, or simply trying to improve your position, these stratagems provide a wealth of applicable wisdom. They encourage you to think creatively, anticipate your opponent's moves, and exploit their weaknesses. They are not just about winning battles; they are about winning in life. This timeless collection continues to influence leaders, strategists, and thinkers worldwide, proving that the principles of strategy are enduring and universally applicable.

The First 12 Stratagems: Winning Stratagems

These first twelve strategies are all about gaining the upper hand and securing victory. Think of them as your go-to moves when you're in a strong position and ready to dominate! Let's break them down:

1. Deceive the heavens to cross the sea (瞞天過海, mán tiān guò hǎi): This is all about lulling your opponent into a false sense of security. It means hiding your true intentions behind a facade of normalcy or routine. Basically, you're doing something big and important, but you make it look like nothing's happening. It's like secretly planning a surprise party while acting like it's just another day. In modern terms, this could mean quietly developing a new product while your competitors think you're still focused on your old one. The key is to be subtle and make sure your opponent doesn't suspect a thing.
2. Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao (圍魏救趙, wéi wèi jiù zhào): When your enemy is attacking one of your key points, don't directly confront them there. Instead, attack a vulnerable spot of theirs to force them to retreat and defend their own interests. It's like distracting a bully by messing with their stuff. For example, if a competitor is aggressively marketing against your product, you might launch a campaign targeting their weakest product line. This forces them to divert resources and attention to defend themselves, relieving the pressure on you. The point is to exploit their vulnerabilities to your advantage.
3. Kill with a borrowed knife (借刀殺人, jiè dāo shā rén): This strategy is about getting someone else to do your dirty work. Instead of directly confronting your enemy, you manipulate a third party into attacking them for you. Think of it as orchestrating a situation where two rivals end up fighting each other, and you benefit from the outcome. For example, you might subtly provide information to a journalist that damages your competitor's reputation. The journalist does the actual reporting, and you remain in the shadows. The key is to be discreet and make sure your involvement remains hidden.
4. Await the exhausted enemy at leisure (以逸待勞, yǐ yì dài láo): Don't rush into a fight when your enemy is fresh and strong. Instead, wait for them to tire themselves out, then strike when they're vulnerable. It's like waiting for a marathon runner to hit the wall before making your move. In a business context, this could mean letting your competitors exhaust their resources on a marketing campaign before launching your own, more targeted campaign. The idea is to conserve your energy and resources, and then capitalize on your opponent's fatigue.
5. Loot a burning house (趁火打劫, chèn huǒ dǎ jié): When your enemy is in trouble, take advantage of their misfortune to gain an advantage. It's like buying stocks when the market crashes. If a competitor is facing a scandal or a major setback, you might seize the opportunity to poach their clients or acquire their assets at a discount. This strategy is about being opportunistic and exploiting situations where your opponent is weak and vulnerable. However, it's important to consider the ethical implications and potential long-term consequences.
6. Make a sound in the east, then strike in the west (聲東擊西, shēng dōng jī xī): This is a classic deception tactic. You create a diversion in one area to draw your enemy's attention, then attack in another area where they're unguarded. It's like a magician misdirecting the audience's gaze while performing a trick. In a business context, you might announce a new product in one market to distract your competitors while you quietly launch a different product in a more lucrative market. The key is to be unpredictable and keep your opponent guessing.
7. Create something from nothing (無中生有, wú zhōng shēng yǒu): This strategy involves creating a false impression to deceive your enemy. It's like spreading rumors to manipulate public opinion. You might fabricate evidence or create a false narrative to mislead your opponent about your capabilities or intentions. For example, you might exaggerate your company's financial performance to attract investors or deter competitors. However, this strategy can be risky and unethical if it involves outright lies or fraud.
8. Openly repair the gallery, but secretly march via the Chencang passage (明修棧道, 暗渡陳倉, míng xiū zhàn dào, àn dù chén cāng): Similar to "Make a sound in the east, then strike in the west," this tactic involves using a visible action to distract your enemy while secretly preparing for a different, more decisive action. It's like pretending to fix one problem while actually working on a bigger, more important project. You might publicly focus on improving a minor product feature while secretly developing a groundbreaking new technology. The key is to keep your true intentions hidden and surprise your opponent with your hidden strength.
9. Watch the fires burning across the river (隔岸觀火, gé àn guān huǒ): When your enemy is in disarray, don't rush to help them or attack them. Instead, observe the situation from a safe distance and wait for the opportune moment to act. It's like waiting for a storm to pass before assessing the damage. You might let your competitors struggle with internal conflicts or market challenges before stepping in to offer a solution or acquire them at a lower price. The point is to avoid getting involved in their problems and wait for the right moment to capitalize on their weakness.
10. Hide a dagger behind a smile (笑裡藏刀, xiào lǐ cáng dāo): This strategy involves befriending your enemy while secretly plotting against them. It's like being nice to someone while secretly undermining their efforts. You might offer support and assistance to a competitor while secretly developing a product that will make them obsolete. The key is to be deceptive and maintain a friendly facade while you work to undermine your opponent. This strategy can be seen as manipulative and unethical, so it's important to consider the potential consequences.
11. Sacrifice the plum tree to preserve the peach tree (李代桃僵, lǐ dài táo jiāng): This strategy involves sacrificing a smaller, less important asset to protect a larger, more valuable one. It's like sacrificing a pawn in chess to save your queen. You might discontinue a less profitable product line to focus your resources on a more promising one. The idea is to make strategic sacrifices to ensure the long-term success of your overall strategy.
12. Seize the opportunity to pilfer a goat (順手牽羊, shùn shǒu qiān yáng): This is all about taking advantage of small opportunities as they arise. It's like grabbing a free sample at a store. You might identify and exploit small inefficiencies in your competitor's operations to gain a slight advantage. The key is to be opportunistic and always be on the lookout for ways to improve your position, even in small ways.

The Next 12 Stratagems: Confrontational Stratagems

The second set of twelve strategies focuses on direct confrontation and maneuvering in challenging situations. These are the tactics you use when you're facing a tough opponent and need to be clever and resourceful to overcome them. Ready to dive in?

13. Beat the grass to startle the snake (打草驚蛇, dǎ cǎo jīng shé): Before making a direct move, test the waters to see how your enemy will react. It's like poking a stick into a bush to see if a snake is hiding there. You might spread a rumor or leak a piece of information to gauge your competitor's response. This allows you to assess their strengths and weaknesses before committing to a full-scale attack. The key is to be cautious and gather information before making a move.
14. Borrow a corpse to resurrect the soul (借屍還魂, jiè shī huán hún): Revive something old for a new purpose. Think of it as taking an old product or idea and giving it a modern twist. It could mean repurposing an old technology for a new application or rebranding a classic product to appeal to a new audience. The idea is to leverage existing resources and ideas to create something new and valuable.
15. Lure the tiger off its mountain (調虎離山, diào hǔ lí shān): Separate your enemy from their source of power or support. It's like luring a tiger out of its natural habitat. You might try to convince a key employee to leave your competitor and join your company, or you might try to disrupt your competitor's supply chain. The goal is to weaken your enemy by isolating them from their resources and allies.
16. In order to capture, one must let go (欲擒故縱, yù qín gù zòng): Sometimes, the best way to catch something is to let it go for a while. It's like letting a fish swim away a little before reeling it in. You might give your competitor a small victory to lull them into a false sense of security, then strike when they least expect it. The key is to be patient and strategic, and to know when to tighten your grip.
17. Cast a brick to attract jade (拋磚引玉, pāo zhuān yǐn yù): Offer something of little value to get something of greater value in return. It's like using a cheap brick to attract a valuable piece of jade. You might offer a small concession to a competitor to get them to reveal their strategy, or you might offer a free sample to attract a potential customer. The key is to be clever and strategic, and to know the value of what you're offering.
18. To catch bandits, first catch the chief (擒賊擒王, qín zéi qín wáng): Focus on the key leader or decision-maker. It's like taking down the king in chess. If you can neutralize the leader of a group, the rest will often fall apart. You might target the CEO of a competitor company with negative publicity, or you might try to poach their top talent. The goal is to disrupt the leadership and weaken the entire organization.
19. Remove the firewood from under the pot (釜底抽薪, fǔ dǐ chōu xīn): Attack the source of your enemy's strength. It's like taking the firewood away from under a cooking pot, so the pot can no longer be heated. You might try to cut off your competitor's funding, or you might try to disrupt their supply chain. The key is to identify and eliminate the source of their power.
20. Trouble the waters to catch a fish (渾水摸魚, hún shuǐ mō yú): Create confusion and chaos to take advantage of the situation. It's like stirring up the water to make it easier to catch fish. You might spread rumors or create distractions to confuse your competitors, or you might take advantage of a market downturn to acquire assets at a discount. The key is to be opportunistic and take advantage of instability.
21. Slough off the cicada's shell (金蟬脫殼, jīn chán tuō qiào): Escape from a dangerous situation by leaving behind a decoy. It's like a cicada shedding its shell to escape from a predator. You might create a false impression that you're still in a certain market while secretly preparing to exit, or you might use a dummy corporation to hide your true identity. The key is to be deceptive and create a convincing illusion.
22. Close the door to catch the thief (關門捉賊, guān mén zhuō zéi): Cut off your enemy's escape route before attacking. It's like closing the door to trap a thief inside. You might try to block your competitor's access to key markets, or you might try to prevent them from acquiring a valuable asset. The key is to isolate your enemy and prevent them from escaping.
23. Befriend a distant state and attack a neighbor (遠交近攻, yuǎn jiāo jìn gōng): Form alliances with distant allies to isolate and attack nearby enemies. It's like building relationships with countries far away to help you defeat your closer rivals. You might partner with a company in another country to compete against a local competitor, or you might form an alliance with a smaller company to take on a larger one. The key is to be strategic and leverage your relationships to your advantage.
24. Obtain safe passage to conquer the State of Guo (假道伐虢, jiǎ dào fá guó): Borrow resources or assistance from one party to attack another. It's like asking for permission to pass through someone's land in order to attack their neighbor. You might partner with a supplier to gain access to a competitor's customers, or you might use a government program to subsidize your own operations while disadvantaging your rivals. The key is to be resourceful and leverage your relationships to achieve your goals.

The Last 12 Stratagems: Losing Stratagems

The final set of twelve strategies focuses on situations where you're at a disadvantage. These are the tactics you use when you're outmatched or outnumbered and need to be clever and resourceful to survive. Think of these as your escape plan! Ready to learn how to retreat like a pro?

25. Replace the beams with rotten timbers (偷梁換柱, tōu liáng huàn zhù): Subtly undermine your enemy's foundation by replacing key components with inferior ones. This is like replacing the strong beams of a building with rotten wood. In a business context, this could mean gradually replacing your competitor's key personnel with less competent individuals or subtly degrading the quality of their products or services. The goal is to weaken your enemy from within, making them vulnerable to collapse.
26. Point at the mulberry while cursing the locust tree (指桑罵槐, zhǐ sāng mà huái): Criticize someone indirectly to avoid direct confrontation. This is like pointing at a mulberry tree while cursing a locust tree. In a professional setting, this might involve criticizing a colleague's work without directly naming them, or using veiled language to express your displeasure with a superior's decision. This strategy allows you to voice your concerns without risking open conflict, but it can also be seen as passive-aggressive.
27. Play dumb (假痴不癲, jiǎ chī bù diān): Pretend to be ignorant or incompetent to deceive your enemy. This is like playing dumb to lull your opponent into a false sense of security. In negotiations, this could involve feigning ignorance about the value of an asset to gain a better price. By appearing less threatening, you can lower your opponent's guard and gain an advantage.
28. Lure them onto the roof, then remove the ladder (上屋抽梯, shàng wū chōu tī): Entice your enemy into a vulnerable position, then cut off their escape route. This is like luring someone onto a roof and then removing the ladder. In a business context, this could mean enticing a competitor to invest heavily in a new project and then withdrawing your support, leaving them stranded. The goal is to trap your enemy and exploit their vulnerability.
29. Deck the tree with false blossoms (樹上開花, shù shàng kāi huā): Create a false impression of strength or prosperity to intimidate your enemy. This is like decorating a tree with artificial flowers to make it look more vibrant. In a business context, this could mean exaggerating your company's financial performance or creating a false buzz around a new product to attract investors or deter competitors. The goal is to create an illusion of success to gain an advantage.
30. Turn the host into the guest (反客為主, fǎn kè wéi zhǔ): Subtly take control of a situation or relationship. This is like turning the guest into the host. In a business context, this could mean gradually assuming more responsibility in a partnership or taking over a struggling company. The goal is to gain control without a direct confrontation.
31. The beauty trap (美人計, měi rén jì): Use seduction or charm to manipulate your enemy. This is like using a beautiful woman to distract and deceive your opponent. This strategy is often used in espionage and politics, but it can also be applied in business. For example, a company might hire a charismatic spokesperson to charm potential customers or investors. While the term specifically mentions "beauty," the tactic can be applied using other endearing qualities that the target is susceptible to.
32. The empty city ploy (空城計, kōng chéng jì): When your defenses are weak, create the illusion of strength to deter your enemy. This is like leaving the city gates open to make your enemy think you're planning an ambush. In a business context, this could mean projecting an air of confidence and competence even when you're struggling, or bluffing about your resources and capabilities to deter potential competitors. The key is to create a believable facade.
33. Let the enemy's own spy sow discord in the enemy camp (反間計, fǎn jiàn jì): Use double agents to spread misinformation and create conflict within your enemy's ranks. This is like turning your enemy's own spy against them. This strategy is often used in espionage and military operations, but it can also be applied in business. For example, a company might use a double agent to leak false information to a competitor, sowing discord and confusion within their organization.
34. Inflict injury on oneself to win the enemy's trust (苦肉計, kǔ ròu jì): Sacrifice yourself to gain your enemy's trust. This is like inflicting injury on yourself to make your enemy believe you're on their side. This strategy is risky, but it can be effective in certain situations. For example, a company might publicly admit to a minor mistake to gain credibility with customers or regulators.
35. Chain stratagems (連環計, lián huán jì): Use multiple stratagems in succession to create a cumulative effect. This is like combining several different tactics to achieve a larger goal. For example, a company might use a combination of deception, manipulation, and intimidation to outmaneuver a competitor. The key is to coordinate your actions and create a synergistic effect.
36. If all else fails, retreat (走為上策, zǒu wéi shàng cè): When you're in a hopeless situation, retreat to preserve your strength and regroup. This is like knowing when to cut your losses and move on. In a business context, this could mean abandoning a failing project or exiting a competitive market. The key is to recognize when you're beat and to make a strategic retreat to fight another day.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it, folks! The 36 Stratagems are a treasure trove of ancient wisdom that can still be applied to modern life. Whether you're trying to get ahead in your career, navigate tricky relationships, or just outsmart your rivals, these strategies offer a unique and insightful perspective. Remember, the key is to be adaptable, resourceful, and always think one step ahead. Now go out there and conquer the world, one stratagem at a time!