Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 12 · Attack by Fire · 火攻

Passage 12-5

火發上風, 無攻下風. 晝風久, 夜風止. 凡軍必知有五火之變, 以數守之.

Set fire upwind; do not attack downwind. Daytime winds last; nighttime winds cease. The army must know the five variations of fire and defend against them with calculation.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 12-5:

Swift Victory Passage 2-6 善用兵者, 役不再籍, 糧不三載, 取用於國, 因糧於敵, ... Preserving the Whole Passage 3-1 孫子曰, 凡用兵之法, 全國爲上, 破國次之; 全軍爲上, ... No Prolonged War Benefits Passage 2-3 夫鈍兵, 挫銳, 屈力, 殫貨, 則諸侯乘其弊而起, 雖有智... Invincibility First Passage 4-1 孫子曰: 昔之善戰者, 先爲不可勝, 以侍敵之可勝. 不可勝...

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 12-2: Fire attacks require conditions and materials prepared in advance. There are pro... 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 12-6: 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...