तमेव हि प्रत्यावृत्तो ग्रसते इत्याचार्याः ॥ कZ_०७.४.०८ ॥
tam eva hi pratyāvṛtto grasate ity ācāryāḥ.
For, say the teachers, the one who turns back (from his march/enterprise) is swallowed up by that very (power/undertaking).
Commitment and credibility: reversing course can invite exploitation by adversaries and allies alike, making the retreating actor the immediate target.