Chapter 12 · Attack by Fire · 火攻

Passage 12-2

行火必有因, 煙火必素具. 發火有時, 起火有日. 時者, 天之燥也. 日者, 月在箕壁翼軫也. 凡此四宿者, 風起之日也.

Fire attacks require conditions and materials prepared in advance. There are proper times and days to launch fire. The time is when weather is dry. The days are when the moon passes through the constellations Ji, Bi, Yi, and Zhen—days when wind rises.

What does this passage really mean for modern strategy?

Ask Sun →

Explore Further

These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 12-2:

More from Chapter 12: Attack by Fire (火攻)

Passage 12-1: Sun Tzu said: There are five types of fire attack: 1. Burning personnel 2. Burni... Passage 12-3: In fire attacks, respond according to the five variations. If fire breaks out in... Passage 12-4: When the fire reaches full intensity, follow up if possible; if not, halt. Fire ... Passage 12-5: Set fire upwind; do not attack downwind. Daytime winds last; nighttime winds cea... Passage 12-6: Using fire to support attack shows brilliance. Using water to support attack sho... Passage 12-7: Winning battles and seizing objectives but failing to consolidate gains is disas... Passage 12-8: Do not move unless advantageous. Do not deploy unless there is gain. Do not figh... Passage 12-9: Anger can turn to joy; resentment can turn to delight. But a destroyed state can...