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About this quote

What does it mean?
Enemies are also frightened, which can reduce your own fear.
In plain terms
Your enemy is scared too, maybe more than you.
What can you take from it?
Recognize enemy vulnerability to boost confidence.

Where it applies

  • negotiation
  • competition
  • conflict

Putting it to work

  • assess risks
  • reduce anxiety
  • maintain composure

Questions to consider

  • How are they feeling?
  • What is their weakness?

Another view

Assuming enemy fear can lead to dangerous underestimation.

More from George S. Patton

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  2. All through your Army careers, you men have bitched about what you call 'chicken shit drilling'. That, like everything else in this Army, has a definite purpos…

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  3. Americans love a winner. Americans will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win all of the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell …

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