The secret's explanation

"That which is about to contract has surely been [first] expanded. That which is about to weaken has surely been [first] strengthened. That which is about to fall has surely been [first] raised. That which is about to be despoiled has surely been [first] endowed. This is an explanation of the secret that the tender and the weak conquer the hard and the strong. [Therefore beware of hardness and strength:] As the fish should not escape from the deep, so with the country's sharp tools the people should not become acquainted."