The modesty of the Teh

"A state becometh powerful when it resembleth a great river, deep-seated; to it tend all the small streams under Heaven. It is as with the female, that conquereth the male by her Silence. Silence is a form of Gravity. Thus a great state attracteth small states by meeting their views, and small states attract the great state by revering its eminence. In the first case this Silence gaineth supporters; in the second, favour. The great state uniteth men and nurtureth them; the small state wisheth the good will of the great, and offereth service; thus each gaineth its advantage. But the great state must keep Silence."