If you want to restrain it, you must first expand it; if you want to weaken it, you must first strengthen it; if you want to abolish it, you must first exalt it; if you want to take it away, you must first give it. This is called subtle yet obvious, the weak defeating the strong. The survival of fish cannot be separated from the pond, and the criminal laws, politics and religion of the country cannot be flaunted to others, and cannot be easily used to scare people.
想要收敛它，必先扩张它，想要削弱它，必先加强它，想要废去它，必先抬举它，想要夺取它，必先给予它。这就叫做虽然微妙而又显明，柔弱战胜刚强。鱼的生存不可以脱离池渊，国家的刑法政教不可以向人炫耀，不能轻易用来吓唬人。
第三十六章
将欲歙之，
必固张之。
将欲弱之，
必固强之。
将欲废之，
必固兴之。
将欲取之，
必固与之。
是谓微明。
柔弱胜刚强。
鱼不可脱于渊，
国之利器，
不可以示人。
Chapter 36
Inhale
before you exhale!
Strengthen
what is to be weakened!
Raise
what is to fall!
Give
before you take!
Such is the twilight before the day.
The soft and weak may overcome the hard and strong.
Fish should not go out of deep water.
The sharpest weapon of a state
should not be shown to others.
