Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 12 · Attack by Fire · 火攻

Passage 12-6

故以火佐攻者明, 以水佐攻者强. 水可以絶, 不可以奪.

Using fire to support attack shows brilliance. Using water to support attack shows strength. Water can cut off but cannot seize.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 12-6:

Attacking Spirit and Timing Passage 7-14 故三軍可奪氣, 將軍可奪心. 是故朝氣銳, 晝氣惰, 暮氣歸... Managing the Many Passage 5-1 孫子曰: 凡治衆如治寡, 分數是也. 鬪衆如鬪寡, 形名是也... Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain Passage 7-9 故其疾如風, 其徐如林, 侵掠如火, 不動如山, 難知如陰,... Orthodox and Unorthodox Passage 5-2 凡戰者, 以正合, 以奇勝. Striking the Empty Passage 5-3 故善出奇者, 無窮如天地, 不竭如江河, 終而復始, 日月是... Changing Plans to Confuse Passage 11-24 將軍之事, 靜以幽, 正以治, 能愚士卒之耳目, 使之無知.

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 12-5: Set fire upwind; do not attack downwind. Daytime winds last; nighttime winds cea... 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...