This passage stresses army quality beats quantity. Troops should avoid blind charges, focus unified power and analyze foes thoroughly to win. Generals without careful planning who belittle enemies will inevitably be captured.
Han Feizi tells an elder chides a conceited Chu prince bent on attacking Chen. Citing Goujian’s decade-long grueling preparation to revive Yue, the elder mocks his blind overconfidence; great conquests demand persistent hard work instead of rash optimism.