The natural principle of war is to do the most harm to our enemy with the least harm to ourselves and this of course is to be effected by stratagem.

Summary

This quote suggests that in the act of war, the fundamental strategy should be to inflict maximum damage upon the enemy while minimizing harm to one's own forces. This goal can only be achieved through the implementation of clever tactics and deceptive maneuvers, known as stratagem. By employing strategic planning and cunning strategies, one can optimize the effectiveness of their actions in warfare, ensuring that the enemy is dealt with effectively while also mitigating risks and losses on one's own side.