The scholar gains every day; the man of Tao loses every day.
In this world, there is nothing softer or thinner than water. But to compel the hard and unyielding, it has no equal. That the weak overcomes the strong, that the hard gives way to the gentle - this everyone knows. Yet no one asks accordingly.
Stillness is easy to maintain.
Keep behind, and you shall be put in front; keep out, and you shall be kept in.
I will be fond of keeping still, and the people will of themselves become correct.
Behave simply and hold on to purity.