"If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. "

The essence of this quote is all about strategy and the art of turning your opponent's strengths and weaknesses to your advantage. It suggests that by understanding and manipulating the emotional and psychological state of your opponent, you can gain the upper hand. Essentially, it's about using your opponent's temperament and current state against them.

Historically, this strategy is attributed to Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese general, military strategist, writer, and philosopher who is traditionally credited as the author of "The Art of War," a treatise on military strategy and tactics. Sun Tzu’s principles were highly influential in both Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy, and beyond. This particular advice reflects the cunning and craftiness considered essential for winning battles, both literal and metaphorical.

Picture this: You're playing a high-stakes poker game. You've noticed your opponent is very quick to anger and doesn't handle frustration well. Rather than playing your best hand straightforwardly, you might intentionally play in a way that irritates him—slow down the game, make small bets that disrupt his rhythm. Over time, his anger blinds him to your real strategy, and he starts making mistakes. You can then capitalize on his errors to win the game.

To apply this wisdom in daily life, think about the situations where you need to negotiate or compete. Maybe you're in a business meeting negotiating a deal. If you can sense that the other party is getting comfortable and overconfident, you might highlight potential pitfalls or express doubts in a way that makes them reveal more than they intended. If they’re united in their approach, find subtle ways to appeal to individual interests or concerns, creating internal discord.

Imagine a workplace scenario. You have a project team that's been working too well together, which means they’re efficient but might miss out on creative solutions due to groupthink. By introducing an alternative perspective or a small piece of controversial data, you create a healthy conflict that pushes the team to re-evaluate and potentially come up with a more innovative solution.

In terms of advice, always stay observant. Pay close attention to people's behavior patterns and moods. Are they getting too comfortable? Push them out of their comfort zone. Notice if someone's easily flustered? A well-timed challenge can throw them off-balance. If you see a group that’s too cohesive, find subtle ways to introduce different viewpoints. It's about being a mental chess player—always thinking several moves ahead and anticipating how your actions will affect your opponent.

This isn't about being manipulative for the sake of it, but rather about strategic thinking. It's about leveraging the dynamics at play to steer situations in your favor. And it's not just in competitive scenarios—understanding these principles can help in collaborative settings too. Knowing when to push for change and when to support cohesion can make you an invaluable member of any team.

So next time you're in a situation where you need an edge, think about Sun Tzu’s advice. Consider the temperament of those you're dealing with, and use that knowledge wisely. Remember, the art of strategy is as much about psychological insight as it is about tactical moves.