Chapter 36 Dyer
Should you want to contain something you must deliberately let it expand.
Should you want to weaken something you must deliberately let it grow.
Should you want to eliminate something you must deliberately allow it to flourish.
Should you want to take something away you must deliberately grant it access.
The lesson here is called the wisdom of obscurity.
The gentle outlasts the strong.
The obscure outlast the obvious.
Fish cannot leave deep waters and a country's weapons should not be displayed.
Chapter 36 Henricks
1. If you wish to shrink it,
2. You must certainly stretch it.
3. If you wish to weaken it,
4. You must certainly strengthen it.
5. If you wish to desert it,
6. You must certainly work closely with it.
7. If you wish to snatch something from it,
8. You must certainly give something to it.
9. This is called the Subtle Light.
10. The submissive and weak conquer the strong.
11. Fish should not be taken out of the depths;
12. The state's sharp weapons should not be shown to the people.
Chapter 36 Lau
If you would have a thing shrink,
You must first stretch it;
If you would have a thing weakened,
You must first strengthen it;
If you would have a thing laid aside,
You must first set it up;
If you would take from a thing,
You must first give to it.
This is called subtle discernment:
The submissive and weak will overcome the hard and strong.
The fish must not be allowed to leave the deep;
The instruments of power in a state must not be revealed to anyone.
Chapter 36 Wu
What is in the end to be shrunken,
Begins by being first stretched out.
What is in the end to be weakened,
Begins by being first made strong.
What is in the end to be thrown down,
Begins by being first set on high.
What is in the end to be despoiled,
Begins by being first richly endowed.
Herein is the subtle wisdom of life:
The soft and weak overcomes the hard and strong.
Just as the fish must not leave the deeps,
So the ruler must not display his weapons.