In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.
Sun Tzu’s Art of War is full of timeless advice that can be applied to many areas of life, including business and personal relationships. One such piece of advice is found in chapter 7, verse 15: “In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.”
Dissimulation means hiding your true intentions or feelings, and in the context of war, it means using deception to gain an advantage over your enemy. This could take many forms, such as feigning weakness to lure the enemy into a trap or spreading false information to mislead them.
But how can this advice be applied to other areas of life? In business, for example, it’s often necessary to conceal your true intentions or plans in order to gain an advantage over your competitors. This could involve keeping your new product under wraps until it’s ready to launch, or deliberately misrepresenting your capabilities to win a contract.
In personal relationships, too, dissimulation can be a valuable tool. Sometimes it’s necessary to hide your true feelings or intentions in order to avoid conflict or gain the upper hand in a negotiation. Of course, there are ethical considerations to take into account when using dissimulation in any area of life, and it’s important to weigh the potential benefits against the risks.
Overall, Sun Tzu’s advice to practice dissimulation in war reminds us that deception can be a powerful tool when used wisely. By learning to conceal our true intentions and mislead our opponents, we can gain a strategic advantage that might otherwise be out of reach.
Geoff Willis is an accomplished restaurateur and chef with over two decades in the culinary world, blending his passion for gastronomy with an extensive study of philosophy. Known for his innovative approach to cooking and deep commitment to sustainable practices, Geoff combines the art of flavors with philosophical insights, offering readers a unique perspective on food and life.