A great nation flows like a river to the lowlands;
the meeting place of all under heaven,
the feminine of the world.

The feminine always overcomes the masculine through stillness;
through stillness, it takes the lower position.

Thus, if a great nation humbles itself before a small nation,
it will draw the small nation to it.
If a small nation humbles itself before a great nation,
it will draw the great nation to it.
So one humbles in order to gain;
another humbles and thereby gains.

The great nation desires only to gather and nurture;
the small nation desires only to serve and belong.
Since both gain what they desire,
the greater should always take the lower place.