Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your
design.
Literally, “do not tell them words;” _i.e._ do not give your
reasons for any order. Lord Mansfield once told a junior colleague
to “give no reasons” for his decisions, and the maxim is even more
applicable to a general than to a judge. Capt. Calthrop translates
this sentence with beautiful simplicity: “Orders should direct the
soldiers.” That is all.
When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them
nothing when the situation is gloomy.