Classical Text 古典文獻 · Sun Tzu Art of War 孫子兵法
Chapter 13 — The Use of Spies
用間 (The Use of Spies)
用間
The Use of Spies
Chapter 13
Chapter Summary
本章概要
Focuses on the importance of developing good information sources, specifically the five types of intelligence sources and how to best manage each of them.
Key Quote
重要引語
明君賢將，所以動而勝人，成功出於眾者，先知也。
“What enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge.”
Application in the Five Arts
五術應用
In Divination: Da Liu Ren and Qi Men Dun Jia are the ultimate "spies" into the unseen realms. They provide the "foreknowledge" (Xian Zhi) necessary to act appropriately before material forces have coalesced.
Study Translation
導讀譯文
The Use of Spies (用間). Sunzi establishes intelligence as the cornerstone of victory, outlining five types of spies—local, inward, converted, doomed, and surviving—and prescribing precise management for each to ensure reliable foreknowledge.
Foreknowledge principle. "What enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge." 明君賢將，所以動而勝人，成功出於眾者，先知也。
Liuren Fajiao Commentary
六壬法教評注
Five Arts application. Da Liu Ren and Qi Men Dun Jia function as metaphysical spies, revealing hidden patterns and outcomes to provide the foreknowledge (Xian Zhi) necessary for aligning actions with cosmic timing before physical forces manifest.
Tactical translation. This chapter mandates proactive intelligence gathering in all endeavors; in divination, it means rigorously interpreting celestial signs to anticipate and shape events, mirroring the spy's role in exposing adversary intentions before conflict.
Source Note
來源說明
Source: Sun Tzu Art of War (孫子兵法), Chapter 13