The Art of War by: Sun Tzu Review Part 12: The Attack by Fire
Hello everyone, this is a continuation of my Art of War review series. I know I said in line of recent events my schedule would be wobbly this week, but I have some free time and really missed writing articles. As I've said as an example in multiple of these posts, if a shark does not swim, it sinks. So I have decided to write the next part of my review. It is hard to believe, but there is only one left once I finish this article, so let's get into it.
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Art of War original text
cmp2020 commentary
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.
In competition, there are five ways to gain advantage: weaken your opponent when he is at rest; interfere with any resources your opponent may have at his disposal; cut off your opponent from gaining resources from outside parties; ruin your opponent's systems and tools; directly compete with your opponent.
2. In order to carry out an attack with fire, we must have means available. The material for raising fire should always be kept in readiness.
In order to gain advantage, be prepared at all times. (Real world example: In football, the defense constantly has to be ready for any kind of offensive play, or lineup. They can predict what to use, but this prediction isn't 100%guarunteed to occur).
3. There is a proper season for making attacks with fire, and special days for starting a conflagration.
There are certain situations when gaining advantage is necessary, and certain opportunities which require advantage. (Real world example: If you are being beaten in a sport, an advantage is necessary to win. To hit a grand slam, you need to have the bases loaded as an advantage, then hit a homerun).
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.
Use the context of the situation to determine the method of gaining advantage; I'm no astronomer, but I think he's trying to say to take into account the time of year which can be a metaphor for deciding if the opportunity aligns with your advantages. (Real world example: If you have a lead in a Hockey game, and it is towards the end, you will decide to gain advantage by holding off the puck from the other team, rather than rushing. If you have the opportunity to make another shot, however, you will take the shot because opportunity aligns with advantage).
5. In attacking with fire, one should be prepared to meet five possible developments:
When gaining advantage, prepare to face five developments;
6. (1) When fire breaks out inside the enemy's camp, respond at once with an attack from without.
(1) When you weaken your opponent while he is at rest, begin to intensely compete with him in all possible aspects to overwhelm him. (Real world example: If a company puts another company in debt, they will ruthlessly lower their prices to push the other business into bankruptcy because of a lack of funds).
7. (2) If there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy's soldiers remain quiet, bide your time and do not attack.
(2) If you gain an advantage over your enemy, but their supporters remain unaware, take your time, and don't engage in competition. (Real world example: When a presidential candidate learns of damaging evidence against their opponent, they wait until October to use it).
8. (3) When the force of the flames has reached its height, follow up with an attack, if that is practicable; if not, stay where you are.
(3) When you have the greatest possible advantage, engage in competition, if possible; if not, don't engage, but remain where you are. (Real world example: If you earn a lot of money from investments, invest it further if you believe you will profit, if not, be happy with the profit you've earned).
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.
(4) If you can win by engaging in competition, do not wait to gain advantage, but win the competition. (Real world example: In baseball, if a runner sees an open base, they do not wait around for the batter to hit a home run, they try to take the open base).
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.
(5) Do not let your thirst for advantage backfire and hurt your cause. Compete from your strongest position. (Real world example: A runner in baseball does not rush a base that is heavily guarded, but rather waits for a good hit to steal the base).
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.
In every competition, keep track of these five developments, as well as time, and opportunity. (Real world example: A wrestler keeps track of each one of these things in a wrestling match).
13. Hence those who use fire as an aid to the attack show intelligence; those who use water as an aid to an attack gain an accession of strength.
14. By means of water, an enemy may be intercepted, but not robbed of all his belongings.
It shows intelligence to use a tool to gain advantage, but you are stronger if you can control the tool. (Real world example: Texting in Spanish shows intelligence, but using Google Translate to check your work makes you stronger).
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.
You will be unhappy if you try to win competitions without thinking through your decisions. (Real world example: The Ronda Rousey fight the other night, Rousey was not thinking whatsoever in that fight).
16. Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.
Therefore, plan ahead of time. And understand the profit you've made, and the advantages you possess. (Real world example: The Steemit 2017 roadmap).
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.
Do not engage in competition without incentive, do not compete without a plan unless you have no other choice. (Real world example: You don't invest in stocks without the belief that you will gain money, and you do not release an untested product to the market unless you are desperate for funds).
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.
Don't try to show off your advantages and resources. (Real world example: A baseball player doesn't try to steal a base to show off, but to win the game). [Sorry for all the baseball advantages, I just seem to like baseball today].
19. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.
Do not engage in competition without incentive. (Real world example: See 17).
20. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeed by content.
Emotions can change, so do not act on them. (Real world example: You might be mad at your girlfriend for blowing you off one night, but that can turn to love when she takes you out another time).
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.
Once you've lost, you've lost. (Real world example: Ronda Rousey, again. I think the last fight ruined her career).
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.
Therefore, a leader listens to his supporters, and his supporters are cautious when making decisions. (Real world example: The presidential cabinet is very thorough when deciding on what to advise the president, and the president listens to his cabinet).
Part 6a: Weak Points and Strong
Part 6b: Weak Points and Strong
Part 7b: Maneuvering
Part 8: Variation in Tactics
Part 9a: The Army on the March
Part 9b: The Army on the March
Thanks for reading this! One more review left in this series. I've got a lot of great ideas for Summer series, and may make a post about some of my plans, but let me know what you think I should do after this is over for the remainder of the school year. Also, thank you to all of the people who supported me about my absence in posts for the week. I don't think I will post tomorrow, but then I will be back on schedule. As always, feedback is appreciated, and remember to check back later!
Also remember to check for: My weekly 7 post, and My Art of War Review