| Sun Tzu Said | 8. (3) When the force of the flames has reached its height, follow it up with an attack, if that is practicable; if not, stay where you are. |
| Commentary | When the flames are at their height, the enemy's disarray will also be at its height. If the flames are dying down, then they will be feeling calmer and be more ready to fight. Hence it is best to attack when there is most disarray.Attack after creating fire is not always a good idea, especially if you will be going into an unknown situation. Fires create fear and exhaustion all by themselves and so gain you advantage without your attack. |
| Chapter | XII. The Attack by Fire |
| Section | sun_tzu_12-3.html |
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| Sun Tzu Said | 20. Whether the object be to crush an army, to storm a city, or to assassinate an individual, it is always necessary to begin by finding out the names of the attendants, the aides-de-camp, and door-keepers and sentries of the general in command. Our spies must be commissioned to ascertain these. |
| Commentary | When on a secret mission, the 'unimportant' people who are present along the way can become very important. They may see or overhear you and report their findings. They may also be persuaded to help, or at least not interfere.Such people often feel unloved and ignored. Using theirnames can by itself be enough to bring them to your side. Knowing them also gives opportunity for threat that can silence those who are too loyal to their own side to help you.In business, you likewise get a lot of information from receptionists, janitors and so on, who hear much and say little. |
| Chapter | XIII. The Use of Spies |
| Section | sun_tzu_13-4.html |
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| Sun Tzu Said | 59. For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm's way that is capable of striking a blow for victory. |
| Commentary | The arousal that threat naturally creates can turn an average army into a powerful one. Being able to create and manage such situations is a mark of a clever general. In particular, whenFight-or-Flight is triggered, the skill is ensuring that only fight is chosen. |
| Chapter | XI. The Nine Situations |
| Section | sun_tzu_11-11.html |
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