--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When envoys are sent with compliments in…" description: "\"When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remai..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/880/sun-tzu-283_art_when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in_1801370.jpg" --- # When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it… ![“When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or removing demands, the situation is one that requires great vigilance and…” quote by Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/880/sun-tzu-283_art_when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in_1801370.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/880/sun-tzu-283_art_when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in_1801370.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/880/sun-tzu-283_art_when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in_1801370.jpg) > “When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or removing demands, the situation is one that requires great vigilance and circumspection. To begin by bluster, but afterward to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.” [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Diplomacy that hides hostile intent demands careful monitoring; overreacting to enemy strength shows poor judgment. **In simple terms:** Watch subtle threats and avoid panic when faced with a strong opponent. Key Takeaway Stay alert, assess calmly, and respond wisely. Themes strategy warfare diplomacy vigilance Mood cautious analytical strategic Type advice historical military When to use this quote - military negotiations - border standoffs - political talks - conflict de-escalation Key Concepts Sun T intelligence circumspection Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate genuine peace offers from tactical ploys? - What signs indicate an enemy is testing your resolve? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can blind leaders to real risks and lead to costly mistakes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art of war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-of-war/) [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demand/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Fright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fright/) [Troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troops/) [Truce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truce/) [Vigilance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vigilance/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in-their-mouths-it-is-a-sign/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-skillful-leader-subdues-the-enemy-s-troops-without-any-fighting-2/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-skillful-leader-subdues-the-enemy-s-troops-without-any-fighting/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/to-begin-by-bluster-but-afterwards-to-take-fright-at-the-enemy-s/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“As if this wasn’t enough, word spread of a new peril. Enemy troops masquerading as refugees were said to be infiltrating the lines. From…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lord/as-if-this-wasn-t-enough-word-spread-of-a-new-peril-enemy-troops/) [Walter Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lord/) > [“This is my situation. I'm the kind of person who, for fun, writes articles called 'Aviation Club Soars into Orbit!' and an unhappy bully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-birbiglia/this-is-my-situation-i-m-the-kind-of-person-who-for-fun-writes/) [Mike Birbiglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-birbiglia/) > [There are lots of secretaries who send off special envoys and yes, say, "Do a great job," and that's fine until it costs you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-fried/there-are-lots-of-secretaries-who-send-off-special-envoys-and-yes-say/) [Daniel Fried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-fried/) > [The first week or day that Obama was in office, he made it clear that peace in the Middle East would be a high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/the-first-week-or-day-that-obama-was-in-office-he-made-it-clear-that/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [“Men, the enemy troops you can see are all that stands between us and the place we have for so long been determined to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophon/men-the-enemy-troops-you-can-see-are-all-that-stands-between-us-and/) [Xenophon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophon/) > [“The commander knows the troops" applies everywhere in fights in my Way of strategy. Using the wisdom of strategy, think of the enemy as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-commander-knows-the-troops-applies-everywhere-in-fights-in-my-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The Roman envoys replied that they would go where their own generals led them, not where bidden by their enemies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/the-roman-envoys-replied-that-they-would-go-where-their-own-generals/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [Nanda broke down every barrier and won his way to freedom not by brag, not by bluster, but by the purest form of self-suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/nanda-broke-down-every-barrier-and-won-his-way-to-freedom-not-by-brag/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [First listen, my friend, and then you may shriek and bluster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristophanes/first-listen-my-friend-and-then-you-may-shriek-and-bluster/) [Aristophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristophanes/) > [We care not how many see us in choler, when we rave and bluster, and make as much noise and bustle as we can;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/we-care-not-how-many-see-us-in-choler-when-we-rave-and-bluster-and/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [We do not want an expanding struggle with consequences, that no one can perceive, nor will we bluster or bully or flaunt our power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/we-do-not-want-an-expanding-struggle-with-consequences-that-no-one/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) ## More by Sun Tzu > [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-according-to-the-shapes-that-i-lay-the-plans-for-victory-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/go-into-emptiness-strike-voids-bypass-what-he-defends-hit-him-where/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-a-similar-way-the-art-of-war-pinpoints-anger-and-greed-as/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“The PEOPLE being regarded as the essential part of the State, and FOOD as the people's heaven, is it not right that those in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-people-being-regarded-as-the-essential-part-of-the-state-and-food/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/therefore-the-good-fighter-will-be-terrible-in-his-onset-and-prompt/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“So long as victory can be attained,  stupid haste is preferable to clever dilatoriness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/so-long-as-victory-can-be-attained-stupid-haste-is-preferable-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/you-can-ensure-the-safety-of-your-defense-if-you-only-hold-positions/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/hence-when-able-to-attack-we-must-seem-unable-when-using-our-forces/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-we-do-not-wish-to-fight-we-can-prevent-the-enemy-from-engaging-us/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-general-who-wins-a-battle-makes-many-calculations-in-his-temple/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-all-fighting-the-direct-method-may-be-used-for-joining-battle-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/to-begin-by-bluster-but-afterwards-to-take-fright-at-the-enemy-s/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [ They \[spies\] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/they-spies-cannot-be-properly-managed-without-benevolence-and/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Explore all 685 Sun Tzu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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