# XII: The Attack by Fire explained — The Art of War > Chapter companion for The Art of War by Sun Tzu. ## What happens Sun Tzǔ outlines five methods of attacking with fire, emphasizing the importance of timing, weather, and wind direction. He details five possible developments when using fire and contrasts fire with water as tactical aids. The chapter concludes with a warning against acting out of anger or pique, stressing that a ruler and general must be cautious and only act when advantage is clear, as a destroyed kingdom cannot be restored and the dead cannot be brought back. ## Themes in this chapter ### Strategic Use of Terrain and Environment The chapter details how to use fire and wind direction as environmental aids in attack, emphasizing the need to be to windward and to choose dry seasons and specific star positions. ### Economy of Force and Minimal Bloodshed Sun Tzǔ advises attacking with fire only when it is advantageous and warns against wasting resources or acting out of anger, promoting careful planning and restraint. ### Psychology and Morale The chapter notes that if enemy soldiers remain quiet after a fire, one should bide time, indicating the importance of reading enemy morale and reactions. ## Character check-ins ### Sun Tzǔ Author of the chapter, presenting the five methods of attacking with fire and the principles for their use. ## Key lines > 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. Fire can be used in five distinct ways: to burn enemy troops in their camp, their supplies, their baggage, their weapons depots, or to drop fire onto them from above. _Sun Tzǔ categorizes the tactical applications of fire._ > 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. Do not act, deploy troops, or engage in battle unless there is a clear benefit or the situation is desperate. _A core principle of restraint and strategic patience._ > But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life. A ruined state cannot be restored, and the slain cannot be revived. _Emphasizes the irreversible consequences of war, urging caution._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/xii-the-attack-by-fire - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters