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.

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，邦之利器不可以示人。

【译文】

想要收束它，必须暂且扩张它；想要削弱它，必须暂且增强它；想要废黜它，必须暂且兴举它；想要执取它，必须暂且给予它。这就叫做不引人注意的明道境地，是柔弱战胜刚强的机理所在。鱼不可以离开深厚的水体而生存，国家的有效力的凭恃不可以轻易展示于人。