敵てきを欺あざむくにはまず味み方かたから

expression

to deceive the enemy, first deceive your allies

Proverb meaning that to successfully deceive an opponent, you must first deceive your own side so that the deception appears genuine. Often used in strategy, politics, or business contexts.

• 敵てきを欺あざむくにはまず味み方かたからというが、作さく戦せんの成せい功こうには味み方かたにも本ほん当とうの計けい画かくを知しられないようにする必ひつ要ようがあった。

  As the saying goes, 'to deceive the enemy, first deceive your allies,' and for the operation to succeed, it was necessary to keep even our own side from knowing the real plan.