The Art of War - Chapter 13 - The Use of Spies 用間第十三

Sun Tzu's Art of War, Chapter 13, emphasizes the crucial role of espionage in warfare. It details five types of spies—local, internal, double, doomed, and living—and stresses the importance of their coordinated use for achieving victory. The chapter highlights the immense cost of war and condemns neglecting intelligence gathering as inhumane and irresponsible. Success hinges on superior knowledge of the enemy, obtained through skillful and subtle use of spies, emphasizing the need for discretion and rewarding loyalty. Historical examples underscore the effectiveness of this strategy.