Pagina 260 di 266

[Word for word, the translation here is: "If spy matters are

heard before [our plans] are carried out," etc. Sun Tzŭ's main

point in this passage is: Whereas you kill the spy himself "as a

punishment for letting out the secret," the object of killing the

other man is only, as Ch'en Hao puts it, "to stop his mouth" and

prevent news leaking any further. If it had already been repeated

to others, this object would not be gained. Either way, Sun Tzŭ

lays himself open to the charge of inhumanity, though Tu Mu tries

to defend him by saying that the man deserves to be put to death,

for the spy would certainly not have told the secret unless the

other had been at pains to worm it out of him."]

20. Whether the object be to crush an army, to storm a city, or

to assassinate an individual, it is always necessary to begin by

finding out the names of the attendants, the aides-de- camp,