A military man can scarcely pride himself on having…
“A military man can scarcely pride himself on having 'smitten a sleeping enemy'; it is more a matter of shame, simply, for the one smitten. I would rather you made your appraisal after seeing what the enemy does, since it is certain that, angered and outraged, he will soon launch a determined counterattack.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A commander warns that triumph over a sleeping enemy breeds shame; vigilance and retaliation are inevitable.
In simple terms: Winning against an unaware foe feels shameful; expect retaliation.
Key Takeaway
Stay vigilant and anticipate consequences.
Themes
honor
war
strategy
ethics
Mood
cautious
strategic
Type
historical
military analysis
When to use this quote
- military planning
- conflict resolution
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
military doctrine
psychological warfare
enemy assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you prepare for inevitable counterattacks?
- What safeguards prevent complacency?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can blind leaders to future threats.