thisskill lacks the essential which it is desirable that a captain shouldpossess； for it teaches him to surprise his enemy； to select quarters；to lead armies； to array the battle； to besiege towns to advantage。Philopoemen； Prince of the Achaeans； among other praises which writershave bestowed on him； is mended because in time of peace he never hadanything in his mind but the rules of war； and when he was in thecountry with friends； he often stopped and reasoned with them： 〃If theenemy should be upon that hill； and we should find ourselves here withour army； with whom would be the advantage？ How should one best advanceto meet him； keeping the ranks？ If we should wish to retreat； how oughtwe to set about it？ If they should retreat； how ought we to pursue？〃 Andhe would set forth to them； as he went； all the chances that couldbefall an army； he would listen to their opinion and state his；confirming it with reasons； so that by these continual discussions therecould never arise； in time of war； any unexpected circumstances that hecould deal with。But to exercise the intellect the prince should read histories； andstudy there the actions of illustrious men； to see how they have borhemselves in war； to examine the causes of their victories and defeat；so as to avoid the latter and imitate the former； and above all do as anillustrious man did； who took as an exemplar one who had been praisedand famous before him； and whose achievements and deeds he always keptin his mind； as it is said Alexander the Great imitated Achilles； CaesarAlexander； Scipio Cyrus。 And whoever reads the life of Cyrus； written byXenophon； will recognize afterwards in the life of Scipio how thatimitation was his glory； and how in chastity； affability； humanity； andliberality Scipio conformed to those things