The true political wisdom lies in mastering three dialectical relationships: maintaining strategic ambiguity between frankness and silence, sustaining a dynamic balance between advancing and retreating, and building elastic space between principles and flexibility. The so-called "a good strategist does not boast of great achievements" is precisely reflected in the creation of "momentum" rather than flaunting "power." If one cannot understand that the essence of politics is the art of possibility, a product of compromise, and a dynamic presentation of power relations, it is inevitable to fall into the cognitive trap of black-and-white thinking. Political wisdom is not about scheming and calculation, but about the ability to manage complex issues from a global perspective. Life is political everywhere: families need to coordinate interests, workplaces require tactful moves, and social interactions secretly involve rule-based games. The essence of political wisdom is to recognize reality without being trapped by it, finding the optimal balance between ideals and compromise. It requires both clear-headed rationality and warm conscience. Only then can one uphold principles amidst the complexities of the world and also achieve harmony and integrity.
View Original
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
The true political wisdom lies in mastering three dialectical relationships: maintaining strategic ambiguity between frankness and silence, sustaining a dynamic balance between advancing and retreating, and building elastic space between principles and flexibility. The so-called "a good strategist does not boast of great achievements" is precisely reflected in the creation of "momentum" rather than flaunting "power." If one cannot understand that the essence of politics is the art of possibility, a product of compromise, and a dynamic presentation of power relations, it is inevitable to fall into the cognitive trap of black-and-white thinking. Political wisdom is not about scheming and calculation, but about the ability to manage complex issues from a global perspective. Life is political everywhere: families need to coordinate interests, workplaces require tactful moves, and social interactions secretly involve rule-based games. The essence of political wisdom is to recognize reality without being trapped by it, finding the optimal balance between ideals and compromise. It requires both clear-headed rationality and warm conscience. Only then can one uphold principles amidst the complexities of the world and also achieve harmony and integrity.