Here is what an ancient warrior said: I dare not be an attacker, I’d like to defend myself. I dare not go forward an inch, I prefer to take a foot back.
So that the soldiers marched without ranks, pricked without arms, opposed without enemies, held without arms.
There is no greater misfortune than to take the enemy lightly. To take the enemy lightly will likely lose my treasure.
Also, when two armies fight on equal terms, it is the bereaved one that wins.