The Virtue of Humility

"When a great kingdom takes a lowly position, it becomes the place of concourse for the world - it is the wife of the world. The wife by quietness invariably conquers the man. And since quietness is also lowliness, therefore a great kingdom, by lowliness towards a small kingdom, may take that small kingdom. And a small kingdom, by lowliness towards a great kingdom, may take that great kingdom. So that either the one stoops to conquer, or the other is low and conquers. If the great kingdom only desires to attach to itself and nourish (i.e. benefit) others, then the small kingdom will only wish to enter its service. But, in order that both may have their wish, the great one should be lowly."