Final answer:
The phrases 'always be truthful' and 'beat them to the punch' suggest a strategy of openness with one's own team, alongside rapid, preemptive actions against opponents. These concepts are mirrored in military texts suggesting the use of transparency for morale and the importance of surprise and timing to gain an advantage over an enemy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrases 'always be truthful' and 'beat them to the punch' are strategies that might be utilized in various contexts, including personal interactions, business negotiations, or military strategy. These phrases are indicative of proactive and transparent approaches, where being direct and upfront, as well as taking initiative, are emphasized .In a military context, these approaches are reflected in the historical text you've referred to, where strategies like misleading the enemy, seizing key opportunities, and striking decisively are mentioned. Particularly, being truthful with your own forces to maintain trust and morale, and 'beating' the opponent by anticipating their actions and striking first are echoed in the text, underscoring the importance of the element of surprise and the need to adapt swiftly to the enemy's tactics. The strategies mentioned in the texts appear to be drawn from classic military treatises, such as Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War,' which stress the importance of psychological warfare, deception, and the timing of one's actions to beat the enemy.