A tree that is unbending, is easily broken.
For all things difficult to acquire, the intelligent man works with perseverance.
Without going outside, you may know the whole world!
All things of the world are born of being; being is born of nonbeing.
Whatever is flexible and living will tend to grow; whatever is rigid and blocked will wither and die.
A tree that cannot bend will crack in the wind. Thus by nature's own decree, the soft and gentle are triumphant.