The Art of War - Khamkoo

had gone there for the amnesty, he locked the doors, and then let no one
out from inside except those whom he trusted. Alexander the Great,
when he wanted to go into Asia and secure Thrace for himself, took with
him all the chiefs of this province, giving them provisions, and placed
lowborn men in charge of the common people of Thrace; and thus he
kept the chiefs content by paying them, and the common people quiet by
not having Heads who should disquiet them. But among all the things
by which Captains gain the people over to themselves, are the examples
of chastity and justice, as was that of Scipio in Spain when he returned
that girl, beautiful in body, to her husband and father, which did more
than arms in gaining over Spain. Caesar, when he paid for the lumber
that he used to make the stockades around his army in Gaul, gained such
a name for himself of being just, that he facilitated the acquisition of that
province for himself. I do not know what else remains for me to talk
about regarding such events, and there does not remain any part of this
matter that has not been discussed by us. The only thing lacking is to tell
of the methods of capturing and defending towns, which I am about to
do willingly, if it is not painful for you now.
BATTISTA
Your humaneness is so great, that it makes us pursue our desires
without being afraid of being held presumptuous, since you have offered
it willingly, that we would be ashamed to ask you. Therefore we say
only this to you, that you cannot do a greater or more thankful benefit to
us than to furnish us this discussion. But before you pass on to that other
matter, resolve a doubt for us: whether it is better to continue the war
even in winter, as is done today, or wage it only in the summer, and go
into quarters in the winter, as the ancients did.
FABRIZIO
Here, if there had not been the prudence of the questioner, some part
that merits consideration would have been omitted. I tell you again that
the ancients did everything better and with more prudence than we; and
if some error is made in other things, all are made in matters of war.
There is nothing more imprudent or more perilous to a Captain than to
wage war in winter, and more dangerous to him who brings it, than to
him who awaits it. The reason is this: all the industry used in military
discipline, is used in order to be organized to undertake an engagement
with your enemy, as this is the end toward which a Captain must aim,
for the engagement makes you win or lose a war. Therefore, whoever
know how to organize it better, and who has his army better disciplined,
has the greater advantage in this, and can hope more to win it. On the
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