Retreat as the Best Strategy
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
The last stratagem of the *Thirty-Six Stratagems*: When the situation is unfavorable and victory is impossible, timely retreat to preserve strength is the wisest choice. It is not cowardice but strategic rationality. Scaffold function: To install a brake for "persistence." The sunk cost fallacy makes people tend to hold on stubbornly; "Retreat as the Best Strategy" reminds us that admitting defeat and cutting losses sometimes requires more courage and wisdom than persisting to the end.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
To install a brake for "persistence." The sunk cost fallacy makes people tend to hold on stubbornly; "Retreat as the Best Strategy" reminds us that admitting defeat and cutting losses sometimes requires more courage and wisdom than persisting to the end.
Anchor fast decisions
"Retreat as the Best Strategy" is the last of the Thirty-Six Stratagems. It means that when the enemy is strong and we are weak, and victory is hopeless, taking the initiative to retreat to preserve strength is the best choice, rather than blindly fighting. It elevates "retreat" to a strategic wisdom of advancing by retreating.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more
Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B5%B0%E7%82%BA%E4%B8%8A%E8%A8%88verified
PRIVATE NOTES · Only visible to you
SAVED Q&A
ENTRY Q&A · Private saving available
Ask with a clear boundary
thinkingmodels answers from published entry context only.
Your question is sent to thinkingmodels. The answer uses public entry context only.
RELATED MODELS