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[These three sentences are repeated from VII. §§ 12-14-in order

to emphasize their importance, the commentators seem to think. I

prefer to regard them as interpolated here in order to form an

antecedent to the following words. With regard to local guides,

Sun Tzŭ might have added that there is always the risk of going

wrong, either through their treachery or some misunderstanding

such as Livy records (XXII. 13): Hannibal, we are told, ordered a

guide to lead him into the neighbourhood of Casinum, where there

was an important pass to be occupied; but his Carthaginian

accent, unsuited to the pronunciation of Latin names, caused the

guide to understand Casilinum instead of Casinum, and turning

from his proper route, he took the army in that direction, the

mistake not being discovered until they had almost arrived.]

53. To be ignorant of any one of the following four or five

principles does not befit a warlike prince.