THE OFFENSIVE

Even after all these considerations, one should consult those who have actually gone through such operations themselves and who therefore possess intimate knowledge of them.

As one elephant is used to capture another the experience of one action should be used to achieve success in another:

Be quicker to compose differences with enemies than even in rendering good offices to allies.

This is interpreted alternatively thus make alliances with your opponent's enemies even more promptly than securing confirmation of friendships already gained. The other interpretation is: whenever you have to declare war, while it is necessary promptly to strengthen existing alliances, it is well to give even greater attention to making alliances with your enemy's enemies. Vottaar is here interpreted as the enemy's enemies.

If your forces are weak, you should take the first opportunity to yield and make peace before letting your men taste defeat and demoralization.

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