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16. While heeding the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also

of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.

17. According as circumstances are favourable, one should modify

one's plans.

[Sun Tzŭ, as a practical soldier, will have none of the "bookish

theoric." He cautions us here not to pin our faith to abstract

principles; "for," as Chang Yu puts it, "while the main laws of

strategy can be stated clearly enough for the benefit of all and

sundry, you must be guided by the actions of the enemy in

attempting to secure a favourable position in actual warfare." On

the eve of the battle of Waterloo, Lord Uxbridge, commanding the

cavalry, went to the Duke of Wellington in order to learn what

his plans and calculations were for the morrow, because, as he

explained, he might suddenly find himself Commander-in-chief and

would be unable to frame new plans in a critical moment. The Duke

listened quietly and then said: "Who will attack the first

tomorrow-I or Bonaparte?" "Bonaparte," replied Lord Uxbridge.

"Well," continued the Duke, "Bonaparte has not given me any idea

of his projects; and as my plans will depend upon his, how can

you expect me to tell you what mine are?" [1] ]