The concept of `兵不厌诈` is deeply woven into the fabric of Chinese strategic thought, most famously articulated in Sun Tzu's *The Art of War* (孙子兵法, Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ). A cornerstone of the book is the idea that “all warfare is based on deception” (兵者，诡道也, bīng zhě, guǐ dào yě). The ultimate victory is one won through intelligence and strategy, often without direct, brutal confrontation. Outsmarting an opponent is considered a higher form of skill than overpowering them. A Western analogue is the phrase “All's fair in love and war.” However, there's a key difference. The Western phrase often implies a suspension of all rules due to overwhelming passion or desperation. `兵不厌诈`, on the other hand, is less about emotion and more about cold, calculated intellectual strategy. It's not about “rules being off,” but rather about “deception being part of the rules.” It contrasts with the Western romantic ideal of “honorable combat,” like a knightly duel, where trickery might be seen as cowardice. In the context of `兵不厌诈`, trickery is genius.
While it sounds severe, `兵不厌诈` is commonly used in non-military contexts today. Its connotation is generally neutral, describing a clever strategy, but it can be used negatively to imply ruthless or unethical behavior.