Sānshíliù jì, zǒu wéi shàng jì.*

三十六計, 走為上計。

Lit [Of the] thirty-six stratagems, running [away] is best.

Fig (When a difficult situation has reached the point beyond any solution, then) the best thing to do is to run away.

Note [Originally “thirty-six” simply implied “many”; this expression is now often reinterpreted to mean that running away is the best solution to all problems.]

Topics AVOIDANCE DIFFICULTIES ESCAPE PROBLEMS SOLUTIONS STRATEGY