Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 12 · Attack by Fire · 火攻

Passage 12-8

非利不動, 非得不用, 非危不戰. 主不可以怒而興師, 將不可以慍而致戰; 合于利而動, 不合于利而止.

Do not move unless advantageous. Do not deploy unless there is gain. Do not fight unless in danger. The ruler must not launch armies in anger; the general must not engage in resentment. Act when advantageous; halt when not.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 12-8:

The Difficulty of Armed Struggle Passage 7-1 孫子曰: 凡用兵之法, 將受命於君, 合軍聚衆, 交和而舍,... The Stakes of Strategy Passage 1-1 孫子曰: 兵者, 國之大事, 死生之地, 存亡之道, 不可不... The Way of Deception Passage 1-12 兵者, 詭道也. 故能而示之不能, 用而示之不用, 近而視之... Temple Calculation Passage 1-15 夫未戰而廟算勝者, 得算多也; 未戰而廟算不勝者, 得算少也...

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 12-6: 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 12-9: Anger can turn to joy; resentment can turn to delight. But a destroyed state can...