The Masked Face – “A face masked reveals not the person behind, presenting a guise designed for deception. Emulate the masked face in your dealings, revealing only what you want to be seen.”
The “Masked Face” principle refers to the idea of concealing your true intentions and feelings, and only showing what you wish others to perceive. This doesn’t necessarily mean being dishonest or manipulative, but rather being strategic about what information you reveal. It’s similar to the concept of playing poker with a ‘poker face,’ where you try to prevent your opponents from guessing your hand by maintaining a neutral expression. The goal is to create an image or perception that serves your purpose, even if it doesn’t necessarily reflect the full truth.
Applying the Principle to Political Power
In the context of political power, the principle of the “Masked Face” can be incredibly effective. Politicians often need to carefully manage the information they share with the public and with each other, as knowledge and perception can significantly impact their influence and power. For instance, a politician might present a confident front even when dealing with a challenging policy problem to avoid appearing weak. Similarly, they might choose to only share certain aspects of a situation to shape public opinion in a specific way. Essentially, they wear a ‘mask,’ revealing only the facets that they want to be seen and strategically concealing the rest.
Historical Example
In the era before gunpowder warfare, one of the most remarkable uses of the “Masked Face” principle was by the Carthaginian military commander Hannibal during the Second Punic War. Known for his tactical genius, Hannibal utilized this principle in the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC against the Roman Republic.
Rome had a superior army in terms of numbers, and Hannibal, understanding this disadvantage, concealed his true battle strategy behind a ‘masked face.’ His plan was to use a weak center and strong flanks in his formation, but he masked this intention by positioning his troops in a conventional manner, misleading the Romans into believing they faced a typical battle formation.
When the battle commenced, Hannibal’s weak center slowly retreated, drawing the Roman forces inward. Meanwhile, his strong African infantry on the flanks maintained their positions, creating a crescent formation. The Romans, seeing what they perceived as victory, were drawn deeper into this trap. Once the Roman forces were sufficiently enclosed, Hannibal ordered his African infantry to pivot and attack the Roman flanks. Caught completely off guard, the Romans were surrounded on all sides, leading to a catastrophic defeat.
Hannibal’s victory at Cannae remains one of the most brilliant tactical feats in military history, and a powerful example of how the “Masked Face” principle can turn the tide of battle.
[Black Watch | Scrolls of Shunya | Scroll of the Shrouded Moon]
Last Modified: 10/22/2023