12. Attack by Fire
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English translation
Original Chinese text
孙子曰:凡火攻有五:一曰火人,二曰火积,三曰火辎,四曰火库,五曰火队。行火必有因,烟火必素具。发火有时,起火有日。时者,天之燥也。日者,月在箕、壁、翼、轸也。凡此四宿者,风起之日也。
English translation
The text divides fire attack into five types: fire used against personnel, against accumulated material, against logistics, against stores, and fire units organized for attack. Fire action always requires a cause, and the means for smoke and flame must be prepared in advance.
There is right timing for initiating fire and specific dates for starting it. Timing refers to dry weather; date refers to lunar positions (the four mansions Ji, Bi, Yi, and Zhen), which signal typical wind rise.
The section converts fire power into process: classify, prepare, then act by conditions. In strategic planning this is a precondition chain where environment determines feasibility.
Original Chinese text
凡火攻,必因五火之变而应之:火发于内,则早应之于外;火发而其兵静者,待而勿攻,极其火力,可从而从之,不可从则止;火可发于外,无待于内,以时发之;火发上风,无攻下风;昼风久,夜风止。凡军必知有五火之变,以数守之。故以火佐攻者明,以水佐攻者强。水可以绝,不可以夺。
English translation
In fire attack, respond to five kinds of fire changes. If fire begins inside the enemy, answer from outside early; if the enemy stays still when the fire starts, wait rather than rush in—exhaust the fire potential and then join it if possible; if not possible, stop.
Fire may be started from outside without waiting for interior coordination when timing is right. Do not attack downwind when the fire is already carrying from above the wind; daytime winds may persist, but winds often cease at night. Armies must recognize the five fire variations and keep them in count. Using fire can clarify the assault; using water can strengthen control. Water can sever, but it cannot fully seize its source.
This is about operational control under changing conditions. The advantage of fire is tactical, but the advantage of command is deciding when to join, continue, or withdraw.
Original Chinese text
夫战胜攻取,而不修其功者凶,命曰「费留」。故曰:明主虑之,良将修之,非利不动,非得不用,非危不战。主不可以怒而兴师,将不可以愠而致战。合于利而动,不合于利而止。怒可以复喜,愠可以复悦,亡国不可以复存,死者不可以复生。故明主慎之,良将警之,此安国全军之道也。
English translation
To win an attack and seize gains but fail to secure its outcome is dangerous and wasteful; this is called residual loss.
A wise ruler anticipates this and a good commander repairs and consolidates after action. Move only when there is clear benefit; do not use force without attainable purpose; do not fight unless danger is real. A ruler should not raise armies in anger, and a general should not translate grievance into battle orders. Advance when conditions are favorable; stop when they are not. Anger can return to joy, resentment can settle, but a ruined state cannot be restored and the dead do not return.
The passage links ethics and strategy through risk control. Strategic strength is not merely winning encounters; it is managing when and why force is used and ensuring the outcome is stabilized.