There is a saying among soldiers:
I dare not make the first move but would rather play the guest;
I dare not advance an inch but would rather withdraw a foot.
This is called marching without appearing to move,
Rolling up your sleeves without showing your arm,
Capturing the enemy without attacking,
Being armed without weapons.
There is no greater catastrophe than underestimating the enemy.
By underestimating the enemy, I almost lost what I value.

Therefore when the battle is joined,
The underdog will win.

Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching
Chapter 14

Translated by Gia-Fu Feng  馮家福  (1919–1985) and Jane English (1942 – )
Vintage Books, 1989