美人计 illustration

美人计

The Beauty Trap

If direct strength is too great, attack through emotion, desire, and judgment instead.

Aliases
The Beauty Trap / Defeat Stratagems
Domains
stratagem, negotiation, positioning, competition, conflict

Stratagem Name and Original Text

  • Stratagem Name: 美人计
  • Original Text: 兵强者，攻其将；兵智者，伐其情。将弱兵颓，其势自萎。利用御寇，顺相保也。
  • Translation: If direct strength is too great, attack through emotion, desire, and judgment instead.

How It Works

  • Concise Definition: Disarm through temptation or indulgence.
  • Explanation: People are often undone where desire weakens discipline.

Usage Example

  • When a rival's leader is driven by vanity, offer face-saving gestures to divert attention from the real contest.
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