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78
There is nothing in the world more soft and
weak than water,
and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing
that can take precedence of
it;--for there is nothing (so effectual)
for which it can be changed.
Every one in the world knows that the soft
overcomes the hard, and
the weak the strong, but no one is able to carry it out in practice.
Therefore a sage has
said,
'He who accepts his state's reproach,
Is hailed therefore its altars' lord;
To him who bears men's direful
woes
They all the name of King accord.'
Words that are strictly true seem to be paradoxical.
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