If your enemy comes to speak bearing a sword, open your door to him and speak, but keep your own sword at hand. If he comes to you empty-handed, greet him the same way. But if he comes to you bearing gifts, stand on your walls and cast stones down on him.
The quote advises a cautious approach to dealings with adversaries. If an enemy arrives armed, one should be open to communication while remaining prepared for potential conflict. This suggests a balance between diplomatic engagement and self-protection. The approach should be similar if the enemy comes unarmed, emphasizing that one should always be ready for unforeseen threats.
However, the quote takes a more aggressive stance when the enemy arrives with gifts. In this situation, it advises maintaining vigilance and readiness to defend against possible deceit or ulterior motives. This emphasizes the importance of skepticism in negotiations, especially when an enemy attempts to make a friendly overture.
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