- Knowledge is Power
- Before entering into an alliance, consider the motivations of your potential allies. 1. Another thing to consider is the potential value that these allies may provide. Do not make useless allegiances
- If you cannot gain an advantage by any means Use spies to gain information 2. Conversely, keep knowledge about spies an utmost secret 3.
- When knowledge about spies has been revealed, cut them off with other spies 4.
- The only valuable spies are those who can make it back with the vital information 5.
- Spies are delicate. Keep them motivated at all times and treat them as an ally whose background must be fully known 6. In general have:
- The wisdom to employ them properly
- The benevolence to positively motivate them.
- The critical mind to verify their information as being correct.
- The subtlety to not be exposed using them.
- The willingness to cut them off when they are no longer useful or are compromising secrecy.
- The willingness to employ the ordinary man who hears much and says little.
- Be delicate in espionage.
- Do not go against someone who has many allies. Conversely, have many allies at hand 1.
- There is a tradeoff between the number of allies one has and the ability to keep one’s plans a secrets Thus choose your allies carefully. Do not be overreliant on allies, either as this introduces a dependency for them 7.
- If you can succeed without allies, do so 7.
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