Illustrazione di Hide a knife behind a smile
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts

Hide a knife behind a smile

Reassure the target, prepare in secret, and move only when the setup is complete.

Alias
笑裡藏刀 / Set 2. Enemy Dealing Stratagems
Ambiti
Strategy, negotiation, positioning, competition, conflict

Chinese Maxim

  • Chinese title: 笑裡藏刀
  • Chinese maxim: 信而安之，陰以圖之，備而後動，勿使有變。
  • Plain-English rendering: Reassure the target, prepare in secret, and move only when the setup is complete.

How It Works

  • Simple definition: Make them comfortable before acting against them.
  • Simple explanation: Suspicion blocks access; comfort lowers defense.

Usage Example

  • Maintain a friendly working surface while quietly preparing the replacement plan.