Pagina 265 di 266

Sun Tzŭ's mention of them simply means that the proper use of the

five classes of spies is a matter which requires men of the

highest mental caliber like I and Lu, whose wisdom and capacity

qualified them for the task. The above words only emphasize this

point." Ho Shih believes then that the two heroes are mentioned

on account of their supposed skill in the use of spies. But this

is very weak.]

27. Hence it is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general

who will use the highest intelligence of the army for purposes of

spying and thereby they achieve great results.

[Tu Mu closes with a note of warning: "Just as water, which

carries a boat from bank to bank, may also be the means of

sinking it, so reliance on spies, while production of great

results, is oft-times the cause of utter destruction."]

Spies are a most important element in war, because on them

depends an army's ability to move.

[Chia Lin says that an army without spies is like a man without

ears or eyes.]