Feign ignorance and make no move rather than feign knowledge and make rash moves. Stay motionless and hide one’s intention. Clouds and thunder symbolize Tun.

In warfare, suddenness can be achieved either by secrecy, concealing one’s open maneuvers. Secrecy is the normal method and is widely applicable. One who is not ready to take action may make wild gestures to distract the enemy. Yet such a strategy of “feigning madness” often provides a clue for the enemy to detect one’s real intention. In general, a military leader tends to act by the Chinese saying, “When still, be quiet like a maiden; when moving, be agile like a rabbit just released.” When not ready to fight, he plays the fool. Also, the strategy instructs the commander nit to explain his orders to the troops.