12. 故不知諸侯之謀者不能豫交

We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the

designs of our neighbours.

豫 = 先. Li Ch‘üan understands it as 備 “guard against,” which is

hardly so good. An original interpretation of 交 is given by Tu Mu,

who says it stands for 交兵 or 合戰 “join in battle.”

Sun Tzŭ on the Art of War: The Oldest Military Treatise in the World · 第 182 / 458 题