The Art of War by Sun Tzu (All 13 chapters)

Chapter 12: The Attack by Fire

Sun Tzu said:

There are five types of fire attack:

1. Burning personnel.
2. Burning stores.
3. Burning baggage.
4. Burning arsenals.
5. Burning supply lines.

Fire attacks require preparation and conditions, with materials ready and timing based on dry weather or favorable constellations (Ji, Bi, Yi, or Zhen, when winds rise).

Adapt to the five fire variations:

• If fire breaks out inside, respond from outside.
• If fire burns but the enemy remains calm, wait, do not attack.
• When the fire peaks, follow up if feasible; if not, halt.
• If fire is set outside, act without waiting for internal conditions, at the right time.
• Fire from upwind, not downwind. Winds persisting by day often stop at night.

Armies must master the five fire variations and adhere to their principles.

Fire aids attacks with clarity; water aids with strength. Water divides but does not seize.

Victory without consolidating gains is disastrous, termed “costly delay.”

Thus: Wise rulers plan carefully, skilled generals execute diligently. Move only for gain, act only for advantage, fight only in peril.

Rulers must not mobilize out of anger, nor generals fight out of resentment.

Act when advantageous, halt when not.

Anger can turn to joy, resentment to satisfaction, but a lost state cannot be restored, nor the dead revived.

Wise rulers are cautious, skilled generals vigilant—this is the way to secure the state and preserve the army.

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