隔岸观火
Stratagems of Defending · 敌战计Wait for the enemy to destroy themselves. When opponents are fighting among themselves, stay out of it and let them weaken each other.
Cao Cao watched from the sidelines as Yuan Shao's sons fought each other for succession after their father's death. By waiting for the Yuan family to exhaust themselves in civil conflict, Cao Cao was able to defeat them piecemeal.
Switzerland maintained armed neutrality through both World Wars, watching from the sidelines as Europe's great powers destroyed each other. By staying out of the conflict, Switzerland preserved its infrastructure, economy, and population — emerging stronger.
Vulture funds wait for companies to fight through bankruptcy proceedings, then buy debt at pennies on the dollar. By watching creditors and management exhaust themselves in conflict, vulture investors acquire valuable assets cheaply.