Seventy-Eight


In all the world, nothing is softer and weaker than water.
Yet, for overcoming the hard and strong, it is unequaled.

The pliant overcomes the unbending.
The submissive overcomes the unyielding.
Everyone knows this, but no one puts it into practice.

Therefore, the sage says:
He who takes on the suffering of the world is fit to rule it.
One who accepts the evils of the world as his own
is a king under heaven.

Truth is often paradox.