Chapter 77

Index
Nothing under heaven is softer or more yielding than water, yet for attacking the hard and strong, nothing can surpass it. This is because there is nothing that can take its place.
The weak overcomes the strong, the soft overcomes the hard. Everyone under heaven knows this, yet none can put it into practice.
Therefore the sage says: 'One who bears the nation's disgrace becomes the lord of its altars; one who bears the nation's misfortunes becomes the king of all under heaven.'
True words seem paradoxical.