Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.

An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.

The living are soft and yielding; the dead are rigid and stiff. Living plants are flexible and tender; the dead are brittle and dry.

Conquering others requires force. Conquering oneself requires strength

Love the whole world as if it were your self; then you will truly care for all things.

Meet the big while it is small.

He who holds on to the Way seeks no excess. Since he lacks excess, he can grow old in no need to be renewed.