They don't quite get it

The excerpt below appeared in the book titled ‘The 33 Strategies of War’ by Robert Greene. It appeared in the chapter on 'The Turning Strategy' in the Interpretation section and the example used to demonstrate it was about Julius Caesar.

Caesar was very strategic in everything that he did. He was also unpredictable and an example is used showing how he did not extract retribution from enemy troops when they surrendered and all the laws of war would indicate that he could. Then these troops joined Caesar’s forces to fight against their former leader. How often has this happened?

Here is the practical advice the author suggests we use that is derived from the examples presented in the chapter.

“Life is full of hostility – some of it overt, some clever and underhanded. Conflict is inevitable: you will never have total peace. Instead of imagining you can avoid these clashes of will, accept them and know that the way you deal with them will decide your success in life. What good is it to win little battles, to succeed in pushing people around here and there, if in the long run you create silent enemies who will sabotage you later? At all cost you must gain control of the impulse to fight your opponents directly. Instead occupy their flank. Disarm them and make them your ally: you can decide later whether to keep them on your side or to extract revenge. Taking the fight out of people through strategic acts of kindness, generosity, and charm will clear your path, helping you to save energy for the fights you cannot avoid. Find their flank – the support people crave, the kindness they will respond to, the favor to disarm them. In the political world we live in, the flank is the path to power.’

The suggestions in themselves are not bad but are not the best suggestions for us. The author's purpose is to help you have success but success won't solve your problems. His advice about creating enemies is right on, and getting control of your desire to fight your opponents is definitely helpful but not for the reasons he is identifying. How you treat others impacts your relationships with them. His purpose is to encourage you to manipulate others for your benefit.

We should find their flank as he indicates near the end of the piece not for the reasons stated but because we should want to live with and love others as we are taught through God's Word. Life is a whole lot easier and more fulfilling that way. Plus we are being obedient.