That is, with rapidity. Only one who knows the disastrous effects of a long war can realise the supreme importance of rapidity in bringing it to a close. Only two commentators seem to favour this interpretation, but it fits well into the logic of the context, whereas the rendering, “He who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits,” is distinctly pointless. 8. 善用兵者役不再籍糧不三載 The skilful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither are his supply-waggons loaded more than twice. Once war is declared, he will not waste precious time in waiting for reinforcements, nor will he turn his army back for fresh supplies, but crosses the enemy’s frontier without delay. This may seem an audacious policy to recommend, but with all great strategists, from Julius Caesar to Napoleon Buonaparte, the value of time—that is, being a little ahead of your opponent—has counted for more than either numerical superiority or the nicest calculations with regard to commissariat. 籍 is used in the sense of 賦. The _T‘ung Tien_ and _Yü Lan_ have the inferior reading 藉. The commentators explain 不三載 by saying that the waggons are loaded once before passing the frontier, and that the army is met by a further consignment of supplies on the homeward march. The _Yü Lan_, however, reads 再 here as well. 9. 取用於國因糧於敵故軍食可足也 Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy. Thus the army will have food enough for its needs. 用, “things to be used,” in the widest sense. It includes all the impedimenta of an army, apart from provisions. 10. 國之貧於師者遠輸遠輸則百姓貧 Poverty of the State exchequer causes an army to be maintained by contributions from a distance. Contributing to maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.