The Dog Chasing the Wolf
A hunting dog began running boastfully behind a wolf that failed to attack the herd and retreated. Thinking "He is afraid of me and running away!" the dog put on a display to everyone that he was chasing the wolf. Coming to a secluded corner, the wolf stopped, suddenly turned back, showed his sharp teeth, and growled horribly. Seeing the wolf's majesty, the dog was terrified, turned back, tucked his tail between his legs, and fled toward the village.
Those who mistake the enemy's temporary retreat or tactics for their own success and boast experience great disappointment and disgrace at the moment of true confrontation. Empty self-confidence and underestimating danger make a person look funny. Walking upon an opponent without weighing their strength correctly backfires. When real danger faces you, fake heroics come to an end.
One does not go upon danger with empty self-confidence and flee when confronting. Empty self-confidence brings embarrassment. Underestimating danger disgraces. The enemy's retreat is not victory.
Fake heroics end with confrontation. Weighing the opponent's strength correctly is essential. Empty boasting cannot hold before real power.