Water Surpasses All

"Nothing in the world is softer and weaker than water. Yet, to attack the hard and strong, Nothing surpasses it. Nothing can take its place. The weak overcomes the strong. The soft overcomes the hard. Everybody in the world knows this, Still nobody makes use of it. Therefore the sage says: To bear the country's disgrace Is to rule the shrines of soil and grain. To bear the country's misfortunes Is to be the king of the world. True words seem false."