I have difficulty seeing it as positive, unless in context it means giving up on a lost cause, cutting your losses, slinking away and licking your wounds. Mostly I just see it as the futility of trying to maintain a weak position. All of the Tens are pretty much exhausted of the original elemental potency of their suits. Ten of Swords could show mental exhaustion; ennervation is probably the right word. It's having to "sweat the small stuff," even though you know you shouldn't. It's like being nibbled to death by a very large pack of very small rodents. Because there isn't much energy behind it, I've always seen it as numerous, nagging annoyances that are very difficult to confront directly and come to grips with. Its faults are those associated with dissipation of resolve: lack of discipline, disunity, disruption, disintegration, ennui brought on by frustration. It's impossible to "fight strength with strength" when the opposition is more of a dismal "wasting" influence. Even at its best, not a very encouraging card.
