| Original | English Translation |
|---|---|
| To contract it, | |
| one must first expand it; | |
| To weaken it, | |
| one must first strengthen it; | |
| To discard it, | |
| one must first raise it up; | |
| To seize it, | |
| one must first give it. | |
| This is called subtle brightness. | |
| The soft and weak overcome the hard and strong. | |
| A fish cannot be taken from the deep; | |
| a state's sharp instruments must not be shown to people. |
general; commander; lead; about to; will; transfer
desire; want; intend; be about to; appetite
shrink; contract; withdraw; inhale
it, him, her, them; of; 's; go to; reach
necessarily; certainly; must; inevitable
firm; solid; stable; stubborn; to strengthen; fixed
stretch; expand; spread; bow; sheet; set up
weak; feeble; faint; fragile; to weaken
strong; powerful; intense; to force; to compel; sturdy
waste; abandon; abolish; useless; depose
rise; flourish; rouse; interest; initiate
seize; snatch; rob; deprive; usurp
and; with; give; participate; join
right; correct; this; to be
call; say; mean; refer to
small; minute; subtle; profound; slight
bright; clear; obvious; tomorrow; to clarify; understanding
soft; supple; yielding; gentle; to soften
win; conquer; surpass; superior; victory
hard; strong; rigid; resolute; just now
fish; aquatic creature; slippery
not; no; un-; non=
can; may; possible; permissible; acceptable; to approve
shed; cast off; escape; detach; loose
in; at; on; from; to; than; regarding
deep pool; abyss; profound; remote
state; country; kingdom; national
sharp; profit; benefit; advantageous; smooth; facilitate
vessel; container; tool; implement; talent; organ
by means of; use; because; so as to; in order to
show; reveal; indicate; omen; sign
person; human; people; others; mankind