一孔录The video for this chapter is still in production. For now this page gives the original text, the facsimile page, a working translation and the commentary; the full reading follows when the video is out.
將欲歙之，必固張之；將欲弱之，必固强之；將欲廢之，必固興之；將欲奪之，必固與之。是謂微明。柔弱勝剛强。魚不可脫於淵，國之利器不可以示人。What is to be shrunk must first be stretched; what is to be weakened must first be strengthened; what is to be abolished must first be raised up; what is to be taken must first be given. This is called subtle insight. The soft and weak overcome the hard and strong. Fish must not leave the deep; the sharp instruments of the state must not be shown to people.
白Plain Chinese
想要收敛它，必先扩张它；想要削弱它，必先增强它；想要废弃它，必先兴起它；想要夺取它，必先给予它。这叫作隐微而明显的道理。柔弱胜过刚强。鱼不能离开深渊，国家的利器不可以拿给人看。
Draft plain-Chinese rendering following Wang Bi; it will be checked when the chapter is taught.
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