Daily life Quote by Tan Twan Eng
““As with all the principles of aikijutsu, you do not meet the force of the strike head-on. You parry, you step to the side to avoid the blow, your redirect the force and unbalance your opponent. It is the same with the ken, the sword. These principles apply to you daily life as well. Never meet a person’s anger directly. Deflect, distract him, even agree with him. Unbalance his mind, and you can lead him anywhere you want.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing Aikijutsu Philosophy, 2020
Avoid confronting aggression directly; instead, deflect and redirect to neutralize conflict and guide outcomes.
In simple terms: Don’t meet anger head‑on; steer it elsewhere.
Use calm redirection instead of direct clash.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal arguments
- workplace disputes
- parenting
- customer service
- political debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice deflection without seeming insincere?
- When is direct confrontation necessary?
May not work if the other party is unresponsive or hostile.