11. The Nine Situations

57

Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design.

Literally, "do not tell them words;" i.e. do not give your reasons for any order. Lord Mansfield once told a junior colleague to "give no reasons" for his decisions, and the maxim is even more applicable to a general than to a judge.

When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.