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."
Which means:
Look a person straight in the face and make no move,
Roll up your sleeve and clench no fist,
Open your hand and show no weapon,
Bare your breast and find no foe.
But as long as there are foes, value your foes,
Respect them, measure them, be humble toward them,
Let them not strip from you, regardless of how strong they are
Compassion, the one wealth that can afford them.