When the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is boiled.
置之死地而後生、投之亡地而後存。
Military Strategists
Han Xin
The greatest military mind of early imperial China, whose campaigns established the Han dynasty (c. 231-196 BCE). Han Xin's tactical innovations — including the legendary 'battle with backs to the river' — demonstrated that battlefield psychology and terrain exploitation could overcome any numerical disadvantage. His reward was execution by the emperor he helped enthrone.
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Han Xin's Other Quotes
Place them in a deadly situation and they will survive; put them on ground where death is certain and they will live.
The more troops, the better I command them.
When I served Xiang Yu, my rank never exceeded that of a palace guard, and my position was no more than a halberd-bearer. My words went unheeded, my plans unused -- and so I left Chu for Han.
Related Quotes
Men willingly believe what they wish to believe.
-- Julius Caesar
Diplomacy without arms is like music without instruments.
-- Frederick II of Prussia
Victory belongs to the most persevering.
-- Napoleon
An action committed in anger is an action doomed to failure.
-- Genghis Khan
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.
-- Leo Tolstoy
All warfare is based on deception.
-- Sun Tzu