'Treading' does not simply mean treading with the feet. Tread with the body, tread with the spirit, and, of course, tread and cut with the long sword. You must achieve the spirit of not allowing the enemy to attack a second time. This is the spirit of forestalling in every sense. Once at the enemy, you should not aspire just to strike him, but to cling after the attack. You must study this deeply.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- True engagement involves the whole body and spirit, not just footwork. The goal is to prevent the enemy from attacking again by clinging to the initiative after the first strike.
- In plain terms
- Use your whole self in action and ensure the enemy cannot recover after your first move.
- What can you take from it?
- Achieve complete engagement so the enemy cannot attack a second time.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you involve your spirit in physical actions?
- What does it mean to cling after an attack?
Another view
The advice is highly specific to armed combat and may not translate to abstract conflicts.
More from Miyamoto Musashi
'To tread down the sword' is a principle often used in strategy. First, in large-scale strategy, when the enemy first discharges bows and guns and then attacks…
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Permalink to quote #50
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