Pagina 29 van 266

[As Li Ch'uan tersely puts it: "Gap indicates deficiency; if the

general's ability is not perfect (i.e. if he is not thoroughly

versed in his profession), his army will lack strength."]

12. There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune

upon his army:-

13. (1) By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being

ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling

the army.