There Is No Advantage in Striking First in Karate

[Kung Fu Wang]

In practice we shift the question from “who strikes first” to “whose intention enters the space first.”

If a Taiji guy will never "enter the space first", as a soldier, if his commander gives him an order to attack, will he refuse to attack because attacking is against his Taiji principle?

 

[windwalker099]

If a Taiji guy will never "enter the space first", as a soldier, if his commander gives him an order to attack, will he refuse to attack because attacking is against his Taiji principle?

The analogy doesn’t work.

As part of NCO training in the Army, we read various works by famous military thinkers, Clausewitz, Genghis Khan, Sun Tzu, etc.

Sun Tzu stated:

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
The Art of War, Chapter 3: Attack by Stratagem

In Taiji, the principle of 后发先至 (hòu fā xiān zhì) “He who moves later arrives first” emphasizes responding to an opponent’s intent rather than initiating with force.
It relies on strategic awareness and timing.

Taiji doesn’t conflict with decisive action , it informs it.