Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Surprise is a decisive factor that can guarantee victory in conflict.
In plain terms
If you catch your enemy off guard, you have already won.
What can you take from it?
Use surprise to gain a significant advantage.

Where it applies

  • negotiation
  • competition
  • military

Putting it to work

  • vary your approach
  • keep plans secret
  • exploit openings

Questions to consider

  • How can you surprise your competition?
  • Are you predictable?

Another view

Surprise is difficult to achieve against prepared opponents.

More from Alexander Suvorov

  1. As long as the enemy fights he must be beaten relentlessly, but a defeated enemy and especially the civilian population must be treated generously.

    Permalink to quote #23
  2. Judgment of eye, speed and attack are the basis of victory.

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. Fortune seized at the right moment gives victory.

    Permalink to quote #22

Related quotes

  1. Whoever can surprise well must Conquer.

    John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones quote #9
  2. Surprise becomes effective when we suddenly face the enemy at one point with far more troops than he expected. This type of numerical superiority is quite dist…

    Karl von ClausewitzKarl von Clausewitz quote #53
  3. Mon centre cede, ma droite recule, situation excellente, j'attaque.

    Ferdinand FochFerdinand Foch quote #1