Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1145IR // #c1145Synthesis

"Let a man rouse false expectations often enough, and in the end, even when hope is at the door, he may cry the good news in vain." "his agents may step in and do it in his place; but he should reserve his own appeal for the supreme crises of supreme danger, and not dissipate his credit."

— In our words · Source: Cyropaedia (Xenophon)

[Use when]

You're about to tell the team, again, that this quarter will turn things around.

[Why it matters]

Hounds stop answering a huntsman who has called false sightings. Cambyses' fix is to let subordinates do the routine encouragement and save the leader's own promise for the moment it must be believed.

More from Cyropaedia

#c1138"you are prepared to rely on what you do not know? Do you forget that the needs of the morrow must be high, not to speak of the outlay for…Your plan depends on a partner's resources you have never actually seen. #c1139"never put off the collecting of supplies until the day of need, make the season of your abundance provide against the time of dearth. You…You plan to start fundraising when the runway gets short. #c1140"They are well aware of the terms Cyaxares has offered for their help: but whatever they get over and above the covenanted amount they will…You're deciding whether a bonus should be built into the contract or given on top.

Same situation, different book

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