Quotes About Surprise

I think that the joke and the ghost story both have a similar set up in that you kind of set something up and pay it off with a laugh or a scare.

Here is the simple but powerful rule... always give people more than they expect to get.

There's always something else. That's what makes life so much fun.

Another one of life's little jokes. I thought it was a tumor 'til it started to kick.

Looking back on it now, I want to say the bees were sent to me. I want to say they showed up like the angel Gabriel appearing to the Virgin Mary, setting events in motion I could never have guessed.

I sat up, surprised at the lateness, forgetting for a single, blissful moment the ruin of the previous day, and then all of it returned, winding itself around my ribs until I could barely breathe.

The surprise turned out to be songs: "Our Unforgettable Teacher" and the "Song of Suki," a regional folksong they had been vaguely aware of, whose lyrics they had searched out during their August vacation and written down neatly on a piece of paper as a parting gift.

When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy

He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.

Be where your enemy is not.

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points;

These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.

Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.

The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.

The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.

Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.

8.    Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack. [An aphorism which puts the whole art of war in a nutshell.]

Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

Lure with bait, strike with chaos

mountain. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.

Should one ask: 'How do I cope with a well-ordered enemy host about to attack me?' I reply: 'Seize something he cherishes and he will conform to your desires.' Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where has taken no precautions.