We suggest you turn to the Tao Teh Ching:
69 Tao Strategy Ancient military strategists said: I would rather be invaded than be the invader. I would rather retreat one foot than advance one inch. This means not marching in formation; not appearing prepared, with sleeves up; not charging in frontal assault; not arming with elaborate weapons. There is no worse catastrophe than to underestimate the enemy. To underestimate the enemy is to run the risk of losing everything. When evenly matched armies do battle, the passive, recessive one is the victor. -- tr. C. Ganson