Attempting Quote by P. G. Wodehouse
“There was the man who seemed to be attempting to decieve his ball and lull it into a false sense of security by looking away from it and then making a lightning slash in the apparent hope of catching it off its guard.”
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Great Sermon Handicap” (1935)
A man tries to deceive his opponent by feigning distraction, then strikes unexpectedly, illustrating cunning over brute force.
In simple terms: Deceive opponents, then strike decisively.
Use surprise to gain advantage.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- sports
- business negotiations
- personal conflicts
- creative problem solving
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it ethical to use surprise?
- What are the risks of over‑reliance on trickery?
Reliance on deception can damage trust and reputation.