第七十八章 Chapter 78天下莫柔弱于水

第七十八章 Chapter 78
天下莫柔弱于水，
Nothing in the world is softer and weaker than water,
而攻坚强者
but nothing is better
莫之能胜。
to win over the hard and the strong,
其无以易之。
for it cannot be replaced.
弱之胜强，
The weak may surpass the strong
柔之胜刚，
and the soft may surpass the hard.
天下莫不知，
It is well-known to the world,
莫能行。
but none can put it into practice.
是以圣人云：
That is the reason why the sage says:
受国之垢，
"Who can bear the humiliation of a state
是谓社稷主；
may become its master;
受国不祥，
who can endure the disaster of a state
是为天下王。
may become its ruler."
正言若反。
It seems wrong, but it is right.

Chapter 78 史蒂芬米切尔译
Nothing in the worldis as soft and yielding as water.Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible,nothing can surpass it.The soft overcomes the hard;the gentle overcomes the rigid.Everyone knows this is true,but few can put it into practice.Therefore the Master remainsserene in the midst of sorrow.Evil cannot enter his heart.Because he has given up helping,he is people's greatest help.True words seem paradoxical.