Sacrifice

Disciplines > Warfare > Principles > Sacrifice

Principle | Effect | Invoking | Analogy | See also

Principle

Do whatever it takes, including giving life.

Effect

When your opponents show themselves ready to make sacrifices, it can be both bewildering and terrifying.

Sacrifice in the form of giving up territory or other gains is confusing as the other side wonders why. Are you giving up from weakness or is it a ploy, perhaps a lure or to attack elsewhere?

Sacrifice in terms of giving up life in exchange for military gains shows an ultimate determination that is both fearsome and demoralizing.

Invoking

Think strategically and be ready to expend life in order to get military gain. Sometimes losing life now saves more lives later.

When fighting, do so with great ferocity and abandon. Always appear courageous and heroic. Face firing with determination and no signs of fear.

Encourage fighters to die for the cause. Promise reward in the afterlife and good support for those left behind. Acclaim those who went on suicide missions as heroes.

Analogy

In argument, be prepared to capitulate on some point and situations if you can use this for a greater future gain.

Example

In the second world war the Japanese kamikazi pilots terrorized not only American shipping but all those who opposed Japan.

The 7/11 attacks were very effective in drawing America and its allies into war and hence polarizing and radicalizing sections of the Moslem world.