There is no architect Can build as the Muse can; She is skilful to select Materials for her plan.
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Men nearly always follow the tracks made by others and proceed in their affairs by imitation, even though they cannot entirely keep to the tracks of others or emulate the prowess of their models. So a prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding. If his own prowess fails to compare with theirs, at least it has an air of greatness about it. He should behave like those archers who, if they are skilful, when the target seems too distant, know the capabilities of their bow and aim a good deal higher than their objective, not in order to shoot so high but so that by aiming high they can reach the target.
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Therefore the skilful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.
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'It must be confessed that love is a skilful instrctor: it teaches us to be what we never were before: and by its lessons a complete change in our manners is often the work of a moment; it overcomes obstacles in our very nature, and its sudden effects seem like miracles; its makes misers liberal in an istant, cowards become heroes, and chulrs gentlemen, it turns the most lubberly mind into a nimble wit, and gives understanding to the most simple.' - Horace, School For Wives Act 3 scene 4
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Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
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A skilful leech is better far, than half a hundred men of war.
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