Though (the Tao) is uncreated itself, it creates all things. Because it has no substance, it can enter into where there is no space. Exercising by returning to itself, winning victories by remaining gentle and yielding, it is softer than anything, and therefore overcomes everything hard.

Not knowing of the eternal leads to unfortunate errors.

The truly great ones rely on substance, and not on surface, hold on to the fruit, and not to the flower.

That which offers no resistance, overcomes the hardest substances.

Stop thinking, and end your problems. What difference between yes and no? What difference between success and failure? Must you value what others value, avoid what others avoid? How ridiculous!

As for the "proper way:" it is the beginning of disorder.

Knowing others is to be clever. Knowing yourself is to be enlightened. Overcoming others requires force. Overcoming yourself requires strength.