The Flexible Outlast the Rigid
| Original | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 將 欲 歙 之 必 固 張 之 | before desiring to shrink it, it must surely be swollen |
| 將 欲 弱 之 必 固 強 之 | before desiring to weaken it, it must surely be strong |
| 將 欲 廢 之 必 固 興 之 | before desiring to discard it, it must surely be gathered |
| 將 欲 奪 之 必 固 與 之 | before desiring to divide it, it must surely be joined |
| 是 謂 微 明 | call it 'common sense' |
| 柔 勝 剛 弱 勝 強 | the flexible-weak outlast the rigid-strong |
| 魚 不 可 脫 於 淵 | fish can not escape the deep |
| 國 之 利 器 不 可 以 示 人 | the nation's most effective tools can not be shown to the people |