SECT. IX.

OF DEFENCE.

l. The principles of defence are founded upon those of attack.

2. He can best defend, who can best attack.

3. Defence attends to the whole, attack to a part.

4. Without attention to the parts, the whole can never be preserved.

5. He who examines well his own condition, contributes the more to his defence
and preservation.

6. He who would make a good defence, must provide himself by times with every necessary.

7. It is a bad situation which yields no resource.

8. The contempt of a subtle enemy is one of the greatest advantages you can give him.

9. Omit nothing to obstruct the progress and designs of the enemy.

l0. Whatever distresses, do always obstruct.

ll. Never suffer the enemy to have any access to you, which is not either defended or obstructed. Never leave a pass unguarded, or unattended, by which the enemy can approach.

l2. That attack has least effect, which is most obstructed.

l3. Never suffer the enemy, if you can prevent him, to reconnoitre your situation, or the ground between you and him.

l4. Never be intimidated, or drawn from your duty, by any threats or allurements of the enemy.

l5. A generous enemy, like the prince you serve, will applaud and admire a noble defence. [267]

l6. He is the most secure, who is the most on his guard.

l7. Never be confident of safety, while there is a possibility of danger.

l8. That which is strong in itself, becomes weak by separation.

l9. The more compact any body is in itself, the more impregnable it becomes.

20. Common danger begets common interest.

2l. There is no position so defensible as a direct opposition.

22. The greater distance at which you can annoy the enemy, the better defence you will be able to make.

23. The more extensive your front, the more defensible you become.

24. He defends best who covers most.

25. Never attempt to defend what cannot be defended.

26. Never expose yourself where there is no occasion.

27. Nothing guards more effectually against a surprize, than detached parties on all quarters.

28. Upon an alalrm, first put yourself in order, and then detach parties to reconnoitre.

29. Where there is not too great a superiority, it is better to meet an attack than to receive it.

30. Cavalry are of little consequence against infantry that is well disposed or under cover.

3l. Regard no treaty, while hostilities continue.

32. Where you have a defile to retreat through, possess by times its inlet.

33. Nothing proclaims more the reputation of an officer, than a judicious retreat.

34. He who violates his parole, not only renders himself infamous, but injures others.