Quotes about weakness and softness

1. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

2. There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavours than can ever be tasted.

3. Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.

4. That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed against an egg — this is effected by the science of weak points and strong.

5. Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible attacks; numerical strength, from compelling our adversary to make these preparations against us.

6. Now the general is the bulwark of the State: if the bulwark is complete at all points, the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak.

7. Mencius said, 'Never has he who would by his excellence subdue men been able to subdue them. Let a prince seek by his excellence to nourish men, and he will be able to subdue the whole kingdom. It is impossible that any one should become ruler of the people to whom they have not yielded the subjection of the heart.'

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Data: Wikiquote (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0); English Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.