That’s the thing with ancient wisdom. Over thousands of years, it either stands true and turns into common sense, or is replaced with better modern wisdom.
It’s also because it was meant to be read by lords and nobles to teach them the basics of war. A lot of them were EXTREMELY disconnected with reality and didn’t even fathom basic shit like “Oh yeah your troops need food. They can’t just forage mid war like animals would”
Reminds me of that time I drove an hour across town to one of our remote offices… Only for the printer to be unplugged AND the cable to be sitting in the hallway (you could trip over it!)
That’s the thing with ancient wisdom. Over thousands of years, it either stands true and turns into common sense, or is replaced with better modern wisdom.
It’s also because it was meant to be read by lords and nobles to teach them the basics of war. A lot of them were EXTREMELY disconnected with reality and didn’t even fathom basic shit like “Oh yeah your troops need food. They can’t just forage mid war like animals would”
Well, they can, it just makes the peasants hate you.
It’s not just that though.
Anyone can get tunnel vision. A basic set of aphorisms is useful to keep yourself on task.
For example, let’s say you’re the greatest general who ever lived and Russia’s being a petty removed and keeps running away from fights.
You can either read a basic set of fundamental rules to remind yourself not to lose it all with greed, or
It’s like the IT version of “did you check that the computer is properly plugged in ?”
Everyone roll their eyes having to check the plug but a lot of the time the issue can be something basic like that.
Reminds me of that time I drove an hour across town to one of our remote offices… Only for the printer to be unplugged AND the cable to be sitting in the hallway (you could trip over it!)
Or invade Russia, split your armies on the way to Moscow, and end up in Russia during winter with a splintered supply line?
Also many lords of that time were superstitious, and thought that things like ‘honour’ and ‘glory’ were more important than the lives of soldiers.
That’s a very good point, Sheeple.
You would think that would be common sense.