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"In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpassit. This is because there is nothing that can take its place. That the weak overcomes the strong, And the submissive overcomes the hard, Everyone in the world knows yet no one can put this knowledge into practice. Therefore the sage says, One who takes on himself the humiliation of the state Is called a ruler worthy of offering sacrifices to the gods of earthand millet. One who takes on himself the calamity of the state Is called a king worthy of dominion over the entire empire. Straightforward words seem paradoxical."