Who Wins?

Twenty years ago I went to work at a garden centre that had a pond with a pair of resident swans. During the nesting season, the swans were aggressive toward anyone who approached their territory. On occasion, it was my job to cut the grass. I could count on the male swan rushing me from behind while I rode the lawnmower. He would flap, honk and peck to keep me away from the nest. There was no reasoning with him, so I used a rubber dustpan with a lot of honking and flapping of my own to avoid being pecked to death. It is amazing how primitive instinct can be aroused by surprise attack and how quickly I assumed the role of dominant swan to defend myself. My opponent didn't find me very convincing with my big head, short neck, and lack of a respectable beak. But I warn you, lest you think me an easy mark, don't attack. I am capable of deception, the preferred weapon of our species.

"All warfare is based on deception." (Sun Tzu, The Art of War.)

On the other hand, "Peace is based on respect, vulnerability and honesty all leading to mutual trust." (Dennis Ware, Notes that Missed the Basket.)

My hubris is showing. I should not cross swords with the military master who is still studied after 2500 years by those who would fight to win. Yet I will be foolish and offer a dissenting opinion. It seems to me that people who use deception to win always lose. They lose the resources and wealth that they invest in preparing for battle. They may lose the respect of their troops. They certainly lose potential friends and allies and what they might have accomplished together had they not remained enemies.

I am not completely at odds with Sun Tzu. He also says, "The greatest victory is that which requires no battle," to which I would reply, you don't get there with deception, but rather with respect, vulnerability and honesty. Then everyone wins. Unless, perhaps, the enemy is an angry bird.