The fish cannot leave the deep waters. The state's weaponry should not be displayed.

A man's excellence is like that of water; It benefits all things without striving; It takes to the low places shunned by men. Water is akin to Tao. . . . In all the earth nothing weaker than water, Yet in attacking the hard, nothing superior, Nothing so certain in wearing down strength: There is no way to resist it. Note then: The weak conquer the strong, The yielding outlast the aggressors.

Your name or your body, what is dearer? Your body or your wealth, what is worthier?

The forceful and violent will not die from natural causes.

Must one dread what others dread?

Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it.

Dignified, like a guest.