Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1074IR // #c1074Synthesis

"The wise man would rather see men needing him than thanking him. To keep them on the threshold of hope is diplomatic, to trust to their gratitude boorish ; hope has a good memory, gratitude a bad one." "It is a subtle point to satisfy the desire and yet preserve the dependence."

— In our words · Source: The Art of Worldly Wisdom (Baltasar Gracián)

[Use when]

You are about to give the client everything up front and lose your leverage for phase two.

[Why it matters]

Gracián would rather see men needing him than thanking him. Deliver enough to keep them engaged and hold back the part that ends their need.

Filed under situations:When the other side has more leverageWhen you need a yes and they’re not there yet

More from The Art of Worldly Wisdom

#c1063"They will allow a man to help them but not to surpass them, and will have any advice tendered them appear like a recollection of something…You have to correct someone above you who is proud of their judgment. #c1064"All men are idolaters, some of fame, others of self-interest, most of pleasure. Skill consists in knowing these idols in order to bring…Your good arguments keep failing on someone and you have not asked what they actually want. #c1065"To dissent from others' views is regarded as an insult, because it is their condemnation. Disgust is doubled on account of the thing…You think a popular plan is wrong and are tempted to say so in the all-hands.

Same situation, different book

#c1356Show them the engine, skip the pitchYou have a metric that proves your value better than any presentation.From Cancel Me If You Can #c1322Fill the reservoir of trust before you need itYou'll eventually need a deal with a rival and have no reason yet to talk to them.From Courage Can Save Us #c1279The Smarties test for adultsYou're sure the other side must see what you see.From Trade Outside the Box #c1277Listen and then thinkYou're preparing what to say in a meeting where you haven't yet heard the other side.From The Oxford Handbook of Modern Diplomacy