--- 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.\" — Sun Tzu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/108/sun-tzu-283_enemy_when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in_919308.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.” quote by Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/108/sun-tzu-283_enemy_when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in_919308.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/108/sun-tzu-283_enemy_when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in_919308.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/108/sun-tzu-283_enemy_when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in_919308.jpg) > “When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.” [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 often uses flattery to mask a desire for peace, revealing the opponent’s true intentions. **In simple terms:** Flattery can signal a wish for truce. Key Takeaway Watch for hidden motives in diplomatic language. Themes diplomacy trust warfare Mood cautious analytical Type strategic political When to use this quote - negotiations - conflict resolution - political analysis Key Concepts strategic communication psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you discern genuine peace offers? - What signals betray ulterior motives? A Different Perspective Flattery may also be a ploy for deception. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compliments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compliments/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Truce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truce/) ## Related quotes > [When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. 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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/) > [“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/) > [When the enemy's envoy's speak in humble terms, but continues his preparations, he will advance. 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Obviously equality was a bunch of crap, but there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-maverick/well-i-mean-i-thought-peace-and-equality-was-the-point-of-the-truce/) Liz Maverick > [Call a truce, then, to our labors - let us feast with friends and neighbors, and be merry as the custom of our caste;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/call-a-truce-then-to-our-labors-let-us-feast-with-friends-and/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [Azerbaijan unleashed the war, and was defeated in that war; Azerbaijan asked for truce (including from the Commander of Karabakh's forces) and later started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serzh-sargsyan/azerbaijan-unleashed-the-war-and-was-defeated-in-that-war-azerbaijan/) [Serzh Sargsyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serzh-sargsyan/) ## 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 Compliments quotes > [Virgos can tell when people are fishing for compliments, and we won't give it to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/virgos-can-tell-when-people-are-fishing-for-compliments-and-we-won-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You know you've been put down alot when you handle insults better than you do compliments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daviddave/you-know-you-ve-been-put-down-alot-when-you-handle-insults-better/) Daviddave > [I've got the public. I don't care about the critics. I did at one time. I don't any more. I did when I needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/i-ve-got-the-public-i-don-t-care-about-the-critics-i-did-at-one-time/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [You know.. It honestly feels kinda good when a guy compliments me.. Even if they know stupid stuff about me.. It makes me realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-hope/you-know-it-honestly-feels-kinda-good-when-a-guy-compliments-me-even/) [Amber Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-hope/) > [Before pursuing a new relationship, you should never look for someone to complete you, a relationship consists of two whole individuals, look for someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/before-pursuing-a-new-relationship-you-should-never-look-for-someone/) [Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/) > [It takes a million compliments to build you up, but one insult to send it all crashing down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-a-million-compliments-to-build-you-up-but-one-insult-to-send/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Once you tell a man he's pretty, there's no taking it back. They think they're pretty all the time, and I suppose, in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-cisneros-author/once-you-tell-a-man-he-s-pretty-there-s-no-taking-it-back-they-think/) [Sandra Cisneros (Author](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-cisneros-author/) > [“Thank you—for all your compliments about the general badassery of my family’s DNA.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-ashley/thank-you-for-all-your-compliments-about-the-general-badassery-of-my/) [Katie Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-ashley/) > [“Eye Contact. Direct eye contact is one of the best compliments you can give to another. You are subliminally telling them that you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/eye-contact-direct-eye-contact-is-one-of-the-best-compliments-you-can/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [Compliments of congratulation are always kindly taken, and cost nothing but pen, ink and paper. I consider them as draughts upon good breeding, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/compliments-of-congratulation-are-always-kindly-taken-and-cost/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [I make it a rule always to believe compliments implicitly for five minutes, and to simmer gently for twenty more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-james/i-make-it-a-rule-always-to-believe-compliments-implicitly-for-five/) [Alice James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-james/) > [I just think it's silly to be stingy with compliments. If you see someone and they strike you as beautiful in any way, why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/i-just-think-it-s-silly-to-be-stingy-with-compliments-if-you-see/) [Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/) > [I love your bracelet!’ I said to the brunette next to me, because, while most girls are onto the whole stranger-with-candy thing, the strangers-with-compliments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/i-love-your-bracelet-i-said-to-the-brunette-next-to-me-because-while/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [I might be too strung out on compliments. overdosed on confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/i-might-be-too-strung-out-on-compliments-overdosed-on-confidence/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [All girlfriends want their boyfriends to call them beautiful everyday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-girlfriends-want-their-boyfriends-to-call-them-beautiful-everyday/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 457 Compliments quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compliments/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sun Tzu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in-their-mouths-it-is-a-sign/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compliments" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in-their-mouths-it-is-a-sign/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/108/sun-tzu-283_enemy_when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in_919308.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/108/sun-tzu-283_enemy_when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in_919308.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/108/sun-tzu-283_enemy_when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in_919308.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.” — Sun Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sun Tzu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When envoys are sent with compliments...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in-their-mouths-it-is-a-sign/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/when-envoys-are-sent-with-compliments-in-their-mouths-it-is-a-sign/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```