59. For it is precisely when a force has fallen into

harm's way that is capable of striking a blow for victory.

60. Success in warfare is gained by carefully

accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.

61. By persistently hanging on the enemy's flank, we shall

succeed in the long run in killing the commander-in-chief.

62. This is called ability to accomplish a thing

by sheer cunning.

63. On the day that you take up your command,

block the frontier passes, destroy the official tallies,

and stop the passage of all emissaries.

64. Be stern in the council-chamber, so that you

may control the situation.

65. If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.

66. Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear,

and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the ground.

67. Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate

yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.

68. At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden,

until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate

the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late

for the enemy to oppose you.

XII. The Attack by Fire

1. Sun Tzu said: There are five ways of attacking

with fire. The first is to burn soldiers in their camp;

the second is to burn stores; the third is to burn

baggage trains; the fourth is to burn arsenals and magazines;

the fifth is to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy.

2. In order to carry out an attack, we must have

means available. The material for raising fire should

always be kept in readiness.

3. There is a proper season for making attacks with fire,

and special days for starting a conflagration.

4. The proper season is when the weather is very dry;

the special days are those when the moon is in the

constellations of the Sieve, the Wall, the Wing

or the Cross-bar; for these four are all days of rising wind.

5. In attacking with fire, one should be prepared

to meet five possible developments:

6. (1) When fire breaks out inside to enemy's camp,

respond at once with an attack from without.

7. (2) If there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy's

soldiers remain quiet, bide your time and do not attack.

8. (3) When the force of the flames has reached its height,

follow it up with an attack, if that is practicable;

if not, stay where you are.

9. (4) If it is possible to make an assault with fire

from without, do not wait for it to break out within,

but deliver your attack at a favorable moment.

10. (5) When you start a fire, be to windward of it.

Do not attack from the leeward.

11. A wind that rises in the daytime lasts long,

but a night breeze soon falls.

12. In every army, the five developments connected with

fire must be known, the movements of the stars calculated,

and a watch kept for the proper days.

13. Hence those who use fire as an aid to the attack show

intelligence; those who use water as an aid to the attack

gain an accession of strength.

14. By means of water, an enemy may be intercepted,

but not robbed of all his belongings.

15. Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his

battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating

the spirit of enterprise; for the result is waste of time

and general stagnation.

16. Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his

plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.

17. Move not unless you see an advantage; use not

your troops unless there is something to be gained;

fight not unless the position is critical.

18. No ruler should put troops into the field merely

to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight

a battle simply out of pique.

19. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move;

if not, stay where you are.

20. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may

be succeeded by content.

21. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can

never come again into being; nor can the dead ever

be brought back to life.

22. Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful,

and the good general full of caution. This is the way

to keep a country at peace and an army intact.