"It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results"

Sun Tzu is suggesting that an effective ruler and general will comprehend the value of using intelligence-gathering strategies, such as spying, in order to acquire essential understanding about their enemies. By using this understanding, they can attain greater success in military operations. However, Sun Tzu is likewise implying that such tactics need to only be utilized by those who are experienced and smart adequate to utilize them effectively, not by those who are careless or dishonest in their actions.