“If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him.”

— Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter I · Detail Assessment and Planning

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怒而挠之

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Sun Tzu 68

ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosophe… -543–-495 BC

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“If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”

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Source: The Art of War, Chapter I · Detail Assessment and Planning

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Sun Tzu (-543–-495 BC) ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher from the Zhou Dynasty

This has appeared as a variant of Sun Tzu's assertion to "leave a way of escape." Tu Mu, commenting on Sun Tzu, advises, "Show him there is a road to safety..." Ch. 7; it has also recently appeared on the internet attributed to Scipio Africanus, but without citation.
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