The European man of action says: to be effective, I must set a clear goal and seek the means that will lead to its realization in the most direct way.

In Chinese thought - as presented here by François Jullien, one of the most distinguished sinologists of our time - effectiveness is understood differently. The Chinese strategist does not set goals or create plans. What he does is try to detect and exploit the internal dynamics of the situation; to align himself with the natural course of things, so that he makes the conditions work in his favor.

According to the Chinese perspective, one acts with true effectiveness when one simply assists what will happen anyway. When the outcome of one's action emerges effortlessly, imperceptibly, as if by itself. For the greatest achievement is to act in such a way that it seems anyone could accomplish what you have achieved. Without resistance, without danger, without effort.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]