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33 Strategies of War > Law 1: Polarity Strategy > Flashcards

Law 1: Polarity Strategy Flashcards

1
Q

What does the “polarity strategy” mean?

A

It means you declare war on your enemies

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2
Q

What determines your fate in life?

A

How you face
- bad situations
- destructive relationships
- dangerous engagements

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3
Q

What are your possible obstacles in life?

A
  • Other people
  • Fate
  • Circumstances
  • Yourself
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4
Q

What is the ONLY obstacle in your life?

A

Yourself

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5
Q

What is the most obvious way that you can be a massive obstacle in your own path?

A

If you haven’t clearly defined your identity

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6
Q

How do you clearly define your identity?

A

You recognise who you do NOT want to be

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7
Q

In the process of clearly defining your identity, what do you also help define?

A

Your inner enemy

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8
Q

What are the two overall types of enemies you can have?

A
  • The inner enemy
  • The outer enemy
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9
Q

What is the key difference between inner and outer enemies?

A

Inner enemies are for your own reference. You know they’re against your interests. Whether it’s parts of your own personality or others who are actively working against you.

Outer enemies are publicly visible as against you.

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10
Q

What are the two core aspects of the inner enemy?

A
  • Your clearly defined identity (the negative space left by it)
  • External enemies actively working against you in the shadows
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11
Q

What are the reference points for enemies who can serve as ingredients of your inner enemy?

A
  1. Someone who -
    - Blocks your path
    - Sabotages you subtly / obviously
    - Has hurt you
    - Has fought you unfairly
  2. A value or idea that you loathe
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12
Q

What is the point of having an “inner” enemy?

A

Your enemy is the polar star that guides you.

Given that direction, you can enter battle.

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13
Q

If you’re confused about whether someone is a friend or an enemy, what is the simplest mantra to chant for instant clarity?

A

He that is not with me is against me.

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14
Q

I am by nature ______. To _____ is among my instincts. To be able to be _______, to be ______ – that presupposes a ______ nature, it is in any event a condition of every ______ nature. It needs _______, consequently it seeks _______… The strength of one who _______ has in the opposition he needs a kind of gauge; every growth reveals itself in the seeking out of a __________ – or _______: for a philosopher who is ________ also challenges _______ to a duel. The undertaking is to master, not _________, but those against which one has to bring all one’s ______, _______ and mastery of _______ – to master_________.

A

I am by nature warlike. To attack is among my instincts. To be able to be an enemy, to be an enemy – that presupposes a strong nature, it is in any event a condition of every strong nature. It needs resistances, consequently it seeks resistances… The strength of one who attacks has in the opposition he needs a kind of gauge; every growth reveals itself in the seeking out of a powerful opponent – or problem: for a philosopher who is warlike also challenges problems to a duel. The undertaking is to master, not any resistances that happen to present themselves, but those against which one has to bring all one’s strength, suppleness and mastery of weapons – to master equal opponents.

Nietzsche

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15
Q

In the world of strategy, what shows you exactly where you stand?

A

The power level of my equal opponent

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16
Q

Which resistances should I focus my energies on as a strategic warrior?

A

Ones against which I have to bring ALL my
- strength
- suppleness
- mastery of weapons

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17
Q

Which resistances should I NOT focus my energies on as a strategic warrior?

A

Any and all resistances that happen to present themselves

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18
Q

Which two broad categories do you use to divide the realm of people in the external world?

A
  • Insiders
  • Outsiders
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19
Q

Of the people in the external world, who inhabits the centre of the bell curve?

A

The insiders

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20
Q

What is the realm of the insiders of the external world called?

A

The realm of compromise

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21
Q

What does the realm of compromise refer to?

A

When people take the path of least resistance, reconcile with others, always look to get along, forgetting who they really are, we say that they are inhabiting the realm of compromise

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22
Q

What are the core driving factors for the “insiders” of the external world?

A
  • Popularity
  • Likability
  • Trying to please everyone
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23
Q

What is the key goal for every “insider” in the external world?

A

To be liked

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24
Q

What is the key goal for every “outsider” in the external world?

A

To be feared / respected

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25
Q

How are “outsiders” different from “insiders”?

A

Outsiders -
- Are surrounded by enemies
- Antagonise people
- Are in constant battle

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26
Q

What is the key misconception you have about being in constant battle?

A

That it makes you fatigued

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27
Q

What is the real advantage of constantly being in battle?

A

It keeps you strong and alert

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28
Q

What gives you lasting popularity?

A

Victory over enemies

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29
Q

What gives you temporary popularity?

A
  • Compromise
  • Forgetting who you are just to get along with others
30
Q

How do you use enemies in the context of the external world?

A

You strive to demonstrate contrast by defining your enemies

Eg. Thatcher | Socialists, Wets, Argentines

31
Q

What are the direct ways in which an enemy can attack you?

A
  • Show their intentions
  • Show their desire to destroy you
32
Q

What are the indirect ways in which an enemy can attack you?

A
  • Go underground
  • Attack unpredictably
  • Attack craftily
  • Use friendship as a mask
  • Offer assistance and alliance
  • Moral warfare
33
Q

Why do enemies use friendship as a mask?

A
  • The closer they come the more harm they can do
  • A friend knows BEST how to hurt you
34
Q

How does offering assistance and alliance help enemies defeat you?

A
  • They seem supportive
  • They advance their own interests at your expense
35
Q

What is moral warfare?

A
  • They play the victim
  • They make you feel guilty for something unspecified
36
Q

In a situation where you don’t know who your enemies are, what is the wrong thing to do?

A
  • Being carefree
  • Trusting everyone
37
Q

What ends up happening in a situation where you don’t know who your enemies are?

A
  • You become a naïve victim
  • You end up constantly retreating
  • You end up constantly reacting to the enemy’s manoeuvres
38
Q

What is the ideal thing to do in a situation where you don’t know who your enemies are?

A
  • Be prudent
  • Never completely lay down your arms (even for friends)
  • Realise that there are enemies
  • Work to identify them
39
Q

What are the two broad ways to identify enemies?

A
  1. Sit back and read the signs
  2. Actively work to uncover them
40
Q

When you sit back and watch people, what are the two key kinds of behaviours that can alert you to the possibility of someone being an enemy?

A
  1. Unusual chumminess
  2. A subtly hostile suggestion (something against your interests)
41
Q

What are the different ways in which someone can try to disarm you when you don’t suspect them of being an enemy?

A
  • Unusual chumminess
  • New desire to exchange confidences
  • Excessive praise of you to third parties
  • Desire for an alliance that makes more sense for them than for you
  • Too much charm
  • They give you too much space
42
Q

What is the WRONG thing to do when a friend/follower suggests something subtly hostile, or against your interests, or simply odd?

A
  • React angrily
  • Say no
  • Ask (critical) questions
43
Q

What is the RIGHT thing to do when a friend/follower suggests something subtly hostile, or against your interests, or simply odd?

A
  • Go along
  • Turn a blind eye
44
Q

Why should you go along with a friend’s hostile suggestions when you know it’s going to harm you?

A
  • It encourages them to go further, and they end up showing their hand!
  • It keeps their guard down, because they think you’re not on to them.
45
Q

What are the two broad ways in which you can actively work to uncover enemies?

A
  • Test them
  • Look for signs in their past
46
Q

What kinds of signs in someone’s past can show you their potential to be a dangerous enemy?

A
  • Quick power grabs
  • Sudden rises in fortune
  • Previous acts of treachery
47
Q

What are two ways in which you can actively test people to reveal whether or not they’re enemies?

A

Provocation
- Covert
- Overt

48
Q

How do you overtly provoke someone?

A
  • Suddenly attack their work
  • Take an extreme/offensive position in an argument
  • Sharply worded question
  • Opinion designed to offend
49
Q

Why would you overtly provoke someone?

A

When they’re provoked, their emotions are out of control.They drop their caution and show their real beliefs.

50
Q

How does overt provocation reveal enemies?

A

If they are harbouring hostility towards you, overt provocation brings the simmering hostility to the surface in a seemingly disproportionate outburst.

51
Q

How do you covertly provoke someone?

A

Say something superficially polite that indicates or implies a slight coolness or a subtle insult

52
Q

How would a friend react to a covert provocation?

A

They would wonder and then let it pass

53
Q

How would an enemy react to a covert provocation?

A

With a disproportionate outburst of anger and strong emotion, indicating that there’s something simmering under the surface

54
Q

What are your practical options the moment you’ve identified an enemy?

A
  • Stand back, wait and watch
  • Take action (aggressive / evasive)
  • Work to turn them into a friend
55
Q

What are your natural tendencies of action when you spot an enemy or aggressor?

A
  • Avoiding the person threatening you
  • Always looking to conciliate / compromise
56
Q

What are your natural tendencies of feeling when you spot an enemy or aggressor?

A
  • Repressing your anger
  • Feeling guilty (it’s my fault I have an enemy)
  • Feeling wronged
  • Feeling victimised
57
Q

What is the danger of following your natural tendencies when spotting an enemy or aggressor?

A

Avoiding conflict becomes a habit. You lose the taste for battle.

58
Q

What is the ONLY way forward in terms of mindset when you spot an enemy or aggressor?

A

Confront your enemy.
Face your enemy.

59
Q

By what standard can you judge yourself?

A

The level of your equal enemies

60
Q

Who brings out the best in you?

A

Enemies

61
Q

What is being under attack a sign of?

A

That you’re important enough to be a target

62
Q

What effect can enemies have on your troops?

A

They can give you something to rally your troops against

63
Q

What is the best antidote to your daydreams?

A

Enemies - they force a sense of humility and realism

64
Q

What happens when children pick fights with peers and parents?

A

They learn to adapt to the world - they develop strategies for dealing with problems

65
Q

How does conflict help children adapt to the world?

A

They learn what works, what doesn’t work and how to protect yourself.

66
Q

What happens when parents shield their children from conflict?

A

These kids become socially and mentally handicapped adults, because they haven’t had opportunities to practice in a safe environment to understand what works, what doesn’t work and how to protect yourself.

67
Q

What are the rewards of defeat to an external enemy?

A
  • Sympathy
  • Respect
  • Build support for your next fight
68
Q

What is a great side-effect of having external enemies?

A

They can be an outlet for your aggressive impulses. You can unleash your aggression guilt-free.

69
Q

What is the most effective thing to do to prove yourself to the overall world/tribe/people?

A

Take on and defeat a capable enemy

70
Q

When you have multiple enemies, what options does that open up for you?

A
  • You can play them against each other
  • Make one a friend as a way of attacking the other
71
Q

In a world where you’re led to believe that you can be anything, what places a sense of limits on your soaring self-estimates?

A

Enemies.

72
Q

Why are enemies so important for your sanity?

A

The enemy is the ground beneath your feet.

It has a gravity that holds you in place, a force of resistance.

Root yourself deep in this earth to gain firmness and strength.

Without an enemy to walk upon, to trample, you lose your bearings and all sense of proportion.

33 Strategies of War (10 decks)

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