illustration av Feign madness but keep your balance
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts

Feign madness but keep your balance

Better to seem not to know than to pretend false certainty and act badly.

Alias
假痴不癲 / Set 5. Combined Stratagems
Områden
Strategy, negotiation, positioning, competition, conflict

Chinese Maxim

  • Chinese title: 假痴不癲
  • Chinese maxim: 寧偽作不知不為，不偽作假知妄為。
  • Plain-English rendering: Better to seem not to know than to pretend false certainty and act badly.

How It Works

  • Simple definition: Appear dull while staying fully aware.
  • Simple explanation: Underestimation can be safer than display.

Usage Example

  • Let an aggressive rival underestimate your capacity while you keep your position disciplined.