The Skill of Au Awazu: If you go to another province and…
““The Skill of Au Awazu: If you go to another province and associate with the local people, it is quite likely that you will happen to see a spy of the province from time to time. You should not show that you have noticed what he is, but pretend to be unaware of it when associating with this local spy. You do this because if he realizes that you know who he is, he will feed you false information. However, if you two always associate with each other, and as it is your job to lie, it is often the case that either of you may unintentionally give away the truth. This is called au awazu [outwitting the enemy spy].””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
When dealing with an enemy spy, conceal your awareness to avoid being fed false information, but also be cautious not to reveal truth unintentionally.
In simple terms: Hide knowledge of spies to prevent deception, yet stay careful not to slip truth.
Key Takeaway
Stay discreet, verify information sources.
Themes
deception
trust
information security
Mood
cautious
strategic
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political negotiations
- business intelligence
- counterintelligence
- diplomacy
Key Concepts
strategic awareness
psychology
risk management
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance secrecy and honesty?
- What safeguards prevent accidental truth leaks?
A Different Perspective
If the spy suspects you know, he may become more cautious, limiting intel.