Laozi · Complete work
Chapter 36
Chapter 36 of 81. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
Open the complete readerOriginal Classical Chinese
將欲歙之，必固張之；將欲弱之，必固強之；將欲廢之，必固興之；將欲奪之，必固與之。是謂微明。柔弱勝剛強。魚不可脫於淵，國之利器不可以示人。
Mouseia
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the original source for fidelity, modern clarity, beauty, symbolism, and structure.
If you would contract something, you must first let it expand;if you would weaken something, you must first let it grow strong;if you would abolish something, you must first let it flourish;if you would take something away, you must first give to it.This is called subtle illumination.The soft and weak overcome the hard and strong.Fish must not leave the depths; a state’s sharp instruments of advantage must not be shown to the people.
OpenTao
Complete CC BY 4.0 translation made directly from the received Chinese text; source line structure preserved.
If you want to draw it in, first let it open wide;if you want to weaken it, first let it gather strength;if you want to bring it down, first let it rise;if you want to take from it, first give to it.This is called the glimmer of clarity.The soft and weak overcome the hard and strong.A fish must not leave deep water; the sharp instruments of state must not be displayed before the people.
James Legge (1891)
Complete public-domain translation made directly from the original source text.
1. When one is about to take an inspiration, he is sure to make a (previous) expiration; when he is going to weaken another, he will first strengthen him; when he is going to overthrow another, he will first have raised him up; when he is going to despoil another, he will first have made gifts to him:--this is called 'Hiding the light (of his procedure).'
2. The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.
3. Fishes should not be taken from the deep; instruments for the profit of a state should not be shown to the people.