Chapter 36

The Subtle Light

将(jiāng)欲(yù)歙(xī)之(zhī)，必(bì)固(gù)张(zhāng)之(zhī)；

将(jiāng)欲(yù)弱(ruò)之(zhī)，必(bì)固(gù)强(qiáng)之(zhī)；

将(jiāng)欲(yù)废(fèi)之(zhī)，必(bì)固(gù)兴(xīng)之(zhī)；

将(jiāng)欲(yù)夺(duó)之(zhī)，必(bì)固(gù)与(yǔ)之(zhī)。

是(shì)谓(wèi)微(wēi)明(míng)。

柔(róu)弱(ruò)胜(shèng)刚(gāng)强(qiáng)。

鱼(yú)不(bù)可(kě)脱(tuō)于(yú)渊(yuān)，国(guó)之(zhī)利(lì)器(qì)不(bù)可(kě)以(yǐ)示(shì)人(rén)。

James Legge · 1891 · Public domain

1. When one is about to take an inspiration, he is sure to make a (previous) expiration; when he is going to weaken another, he will first strengthen him; when he is going to overthrow another, he will first have raised him up; when he is going to despoil another, he will first have made gifts to him:--this is called 'Hiding the light (of his procedure).'

2. The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.

3. Fishes should not be taken from the deep; instruments for the profit of a state should not be shown to the people.

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