This does not mean that the sole effort of naval operations is finesse in either strategy or tactics; sometimes the sole effort is to force a pitched battle by the side that feels superior, and to avoid a pitched battle by the side that feels inferior. Before the actual inferiority or superiority has been ascertained, however, the strategy of each commander is to bring about a situation in which his force shall have the advantage. The advantage having been gained and recognized (or an advantage existing and being recognized), strategy insists on forcing a battle, for the reason that _every contest weakens the loser more than it does the winner_. This does not mean that it is always wise to engage a weaker force that is temporarily separated from its main body. It is readily understandable, for instance, that it would be unwise in two cases: 1. A case in which the weaker force were so little weaker, and were part of a force so much larger than the total of the smaller force, that the gain as between the two forces actually engaged would not be great enough to compensate for the loss entailed. For instance, a reference to Table I shows that an _A_ force of 1,000 engaging a _B_ force of 800 would have 569 left when _B_ was reduced to zero. This is impressive: but if the _B_ force of 800 were part of a total _B_ force of 2,000, in other words if there were an _A_ force of 1,200 near at hand, _B_ would have 569 left with which to oppose 1,200, a proportion a little less advantageous than the proportion he started with--1,000 to 2,000. 2. A case by which the _B_ force may have divided with the express purpose of luring _A_ to attack; arrangements having been made whereby the inferior _B_ force would simply hold the _A_ force until the whole _B_ force could come to its assistance; arrangements having been also made that this would be accomplished before the detached part of _B_ should get very badly damaged. Attention is invited to Table III, which is a continuation of Table I. It represents what would happen if a force of 1,000 should fight separately two forces, one of 800 and the other of 200. In column 1, _A_ is supposed to have engaged the 200 first, and so to have become reduced to 970, and to engage 800 afterward. In column 2, _A_ is supposed to have engaged 800 first, thereby becoming reduced to 569, and then to engage the 200 force. The table indicates that it makes no difference whether _A_ engages the stronger or the weaker force first.