Nothing in the world is softer or weaker than water,
yet in attacking the hard and strong,
nothing surpasses it.
Nothing can take its place.

That the weak overcomes the strong,
the soft overcomes the hard;
everyone in the world knows this,
yet none are able to practice it.

Therefore the sage says:
‘One who bears the disgrace of the nation
is called the lord of land and grain.
One who bears the misfortunes of the nation
is called the king of the world.’
True words seem reversed.