# Attack by fire: purpose and restraint: summary

Examines the conditions and dangers of fire attacks, urging action aligned with an objective rather than anger.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/sunzi/chapter-12-attack-by-fire-purpose-and-restraint

## Source and summary

[Sunzi · The Art of War · Attack by fire: purpose and restraint](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E5%AD%AB%E5%AD%90%E5%85%B5%E6%B3%95&oldid=7906064#%E7%81%AB%E6%94%BB%E7%AC%AC%E5%8D%81%E4%BA%8C)

> 孫子曰：凡火攻有五：一曰火人，二曰火積，三曰火輜，四曰火庫，五曰火隊。行火必有因，烟火必素具。發火有時，起火有日。時者，天之燥也。日者，月在箕、壁、翼、軫也。凡此四宿者，風起之日也…

Examines the conditions and dangers of fire attacks, urging action aligned with an objective rather than anger.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

When a response is driven by irritation at a competitor, assess customer value, possible harm and a stopping method before deciding.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using attack by fire: purpose and restraint, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[The Art of War: a guide to key ideas](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/sunzi)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/sunzi/chapter-12-attack-by-fire-purpose-and-restraint.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0