View Full Version : 09.028 If his troops cry at night, they are afraid.
If his troops cry at night, they are afraid.
Listen. You have two ears.
I am not convinced that Sun Tzi actually meant "crying" in the traditional sense of that word. You know, with tears and sobbing and all.
No.
I am inclined to think that Sun Tzi was talking about troops that have a difficult time sleeping are probably tense and worried because they are afraid for their lives.
Troops that are fearful usually have irregular sleep patterns as a result of their anxiety. If the Wise General knows about this in advance, he can try and capitalize on it.
-BingFa:cool:
Cardinal999
12-01-02, 10:46 AM
Originally posted by sonshi
If his troops cry at night, they are afraid.
Point # 4 in determining the vulnerability of the opposition.
Always use baits and intelligence operators (scouts) to determine if there have been some internal dissention within the rank and file of the opposition. Check various parties of the opposition who wants to leave the conflict and return home.
Look for indications of fear within your enemy. Fear is your best friend when it visits your opponents.
Gonzo
SunZulu
04-19-03, 01:00 AM
Sun Tzu said, "If his troops cry at night, they are afraid."
The general understands how and why emotions surface in people. She knows what controls the "heart and mind" of the opposition and she can calculate and anticipate their behavior.
markb287
02-25-04, 02:05 PM
It is hard to discern if Sun-tzu meant crying with tears or yelling or complaining. But either way, a brave soldier does not cry, or moan, or groan, or complain. He is a fighter, a warrior. Soldiers who are afraid cry and complain.
I think Sun Tzu is trying to get everything going his way for the time of attack. Fear can be one of the most disabling of weapons too. It can foster fractures within an enemy command structure and it's evidence can also be used as a motivator for ones own troops by fostering a feeling of opportunity for attacking forces ie: "Our enemy can no longer rest because they sence the time of their own destruction." I personally would rather be attacking a fearful opponent.
When the objective is victory. The general has many different tools at his disposal and developing a fearful response is probably one of the most powerful.
"For if the enemy becomes imobilized by their own fears. They many choose surrender vs facing their fears." For the general this maybe the more efficient route vs sharpening spears and armed combat.
Pawn12.
Truthseeker
06-20-04, 09:12 AM
Originally posted by sonshi
If his troops cry at night, they are afraid.
Take notice of your opponent's behavior during unfavorable conditions. The wise general should be giving himself up to the Tao. If he instead murmurs and decides nothing will turn out in his favor then fear has set in. Any wise strategist knows that fear will cloud one's judgement causing one to make reckless decisions. If such is the case with our opponent, we can take advantage of his vulnerabilities.
MonteChristo
01-24-05, 01:27 AM
I think the best decisions are made when emotions are set aside. Also you act in the best way when you are determined and focused not letting emotions to take over.
When troops are in distress, at least some of them will begin to express it in some observable way. Unlike the examples mentioned in previous lines, however, this is a sign that is generated by the enemy troops themselves. Being under their control as such, these signs should be taken with more skepticism since they'll be easier to fake.
If his troops cry at night, they are afraid.
Crying at night??!! Oh my.. Give them chocolates and coke cacola! Dispel death ground or they will take all of your chocolates..
Do you know why fighter planes complicate their flight? Their doing their best to remove their form to become one with darkness.. Because once the enemy spots a consistency in their methods BOOM!
Darkness=Inscrutable
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