| Nothing in the world is weaker or more yielding than water. Yet nothing is its equal in wearing away the hard and strong. There is nothing quite like it. Thus the weak can overpower the strong; the flexible can overcome the rigid. The whole world can perceive this, but does not put it into practice. And so the truly wise say: Whoever bears the shame of the nation is fit to lead the nation. Whoever bears the sins of the world is fit to lead the world. Straight words (truth) can seem crooked (paradoxical). |
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