The Use of Spies illustration
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts

The Use of Spies

Information wins before force does. Reliable human intelligence is one of strategy's highest levers.

Aliases
The Use of Spies / 用間 / Art of War Chapter 13
Domains
Strategy, leadership, planning, deception, competition

Chapter Focus

  • Information wins before force does. Reliable human intelligence is one of strategy's highest levers.
  • Alternate chapter title: The Use of Spies
  • Chinese chapter title: 用間
  • This chapter page groups three practical quote cards from the same chapter.

Selected Rules

  • Rule 13.1: Good intelligence is concrete, not mystical.
  • Rule 13.2: Information comes from different channels with different roles.
  • Rule 13.3: Valuable information sources require investment.

Rule 13.1

Rule 13.1
  • Chinese original: 先知者，不可取於鬼神，不可象於事，不可驗於度，必取於人。
  • Working English: Foreknowledge does not come from omens, analogies, or guesswork; it comes from people.
  • Simple definition: Good intelligence is concrete, not mystical.
  • Simple explanation: Real strategic knowledge comes from direct sources and informed observers.
  • Simple usage: Talk to customers, partners, operators, recruiters, and former insiders instead of relying only on dashboards.

Rule 13.2

Rule 13.2
  • Chinese original: 故用間有五：有鄉間，有內間，有反間，有死間，有生間。
  • Working English: There are five kinds of spies: local, inside, double, doomed, and surviving.
  • Simple definition: Information comes from different channels with different roles.
  • Simple explanation: A single source is rarely enough.
  • Simple usage: Build intelligence from public market voices, internal contacts, partner signals, and verified competitor data.

Rule 13.3

Rule 13.3
  • Chinese original: 反間不可不厚也。
  • Working English: Double agents must be treated generously.
  • Simple definition: Valuable information sources require investment.
  • Simple explanation: The more sensitive the intelligence, the more carefully the relationship must be managed.
  • Simple usage: Protect and reward the people who consistently bring high-quality market truth, even if their reports are uncomfortable.