27
Pretend to be insane while maintaining your sanity.
Interpretation:
Keep your plans secret
As long as you are at peace.
Let no one ever notice
That you are actually smart.
Pretend you don't know anything
And you don't want to do anything.
Let everyone accept the great trick
For a naive, stupid act.
It is important to pretend that you do not have information. It's better to know more than you show. You need to take action only when there is an opportunity. If you give free rein to your desires, you will betray your true intentions and arouse everyone's suspicions. By pretending to be a fool, you can resist the enemy and control the army.
“He who is skilled in the affairs of war does not gain fame for his cunning and does not receive rewards for his courage.”
(Sun Tzu)
As long as you are at peace.
Let no one ever notice
That you are actually smart.
Pretend you don't know anything
And you don't want to do anything.
Let everyone accept the great trick
For a naive, stupid act.
It is important to pretend that you do not have information. It's better to know more than you show. You need to take action only when there is an opportunity. If you give free rein to your desires, you will betray your true intentions and arouse everyone's suspicions. By pretending to be a fool, you can resist the enemy and control the army.
“He who is skilled in the affairs of war does not gain fame for his cunning and does not receive rewards for his courage.”
(Sun Tzu)
Historical example:
The commander Di Wuxiang received an order from the emperor to pacify the barbarian tribes on the southern borders of the Song Empire. In those days people were very superstitious. Not a single business was started without a prayer to the Gods. Di Wuxiang figured out how to raise the morale of his warriors. He held a prayer service and addressed the people with the following prayer:
- Nobody knows whether we will win or lose. I'll throw a hundred coins into the air! If they all fall face up, then fate is merciful to us. And we will win!
Those close to Di Wuxian were outraged by his stupid act. They began to dissuade him from this idea:
- What is this show for? The morale of the entire army is at stake, and you are taking such a risk.
However, Di Wuxiang did not pay attention to others’ lamentations. He tossed the coins and... they all fell face up! His army shouted loudly, filling the entire valley with joy. The commander ordered to nail each coin with a nail and cover them with a silk veil.
- When we return victorious, I will give these coins to the Gods! “Di Wuxiang announced solemnly.
The wise commander led his army south and won a brilliant victory, quelling the rebellion of the barbarian tribes. When they returned to their camp, he ordered the nailed coins to be collected. At that moment, everyone saw that both sides of the coins were obverse!
- Nobody knows whether we will win or lose. I'll throw a hundred coins into the air! If they all fall face up, then fate is merciful to us. And we will win!
Those close to Di Wuxian were outraged by his stupid act. They began to dissuade him from this idea:
- What is this show for? The morale of the entire army is at stake, and you are taking such a risk.
However, Di Wuxiang did not pay attention to others’ lamentations. He tossed the coins and... they all fell face up! His army shouted loudly, filling the entire valley with joy. The commander ordered to nail each coin with a nail and cover them with a silk veil.
- When we return victorious, I will give these coins to the Gods! “Di Wuxiang announced solemnly.
The wise commander led his army south and won a brilliant victory, quelling the rebellion of the barbarian tribes. When they returned to their camp, he ordered the nailed coins to be collected. At that moment, everyone saw that both sides of the coins were obverse!