The Oak and the Reeds

A VERY LARGE OAK was uprooted by the wind, and thrown across a stream. It fell among some Reeds, which it thus addressed: I wonder how you, who are so light and weak, are not entirely crushed by these strong winds. 

They replied: You fight and contend with the wind, and consequently you are destroyed; while we, on the contrary, bend before the least breath of air, and therefore remain unbroken.

一天，狂风呼啸，一棵巨大的橡树被连根拔起，吹到一条溪边，倒在了芦苇丛中。他看到芦苇在狂风中安然无事，感到很奇怪，便问道：“为什么你们这么柔弱，却没有被狂风摧毁？”

芦苇回答说：“正是因为你够强壮，与狂风对抗，才会被刮断；而我们，正好相反，哪怕是轻柔的微风，我们也会随其弯身，当然会完好无损。”

Moral:
Stoop to conquer.