Dede Korkut – Korece Seçme Hikayeler

“I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things, so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now the skillful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.”

• Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

• If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.

• If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

• If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

• Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

• These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.