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.
天下莫柔弱於水，而攻堅强者莫之能勝，其無以易之。弱之勝强，柔之勝剛，天下莫不知，莫能行。是以聖人云：受國之垢，是謂社稷主；受國不祥，是為天下王。正言若反。Nothing in the world is softer and weaker than water, yet for attacking the hard and strong nothing can surpass it, for nothing can take its place. That the weak overcomes the strong and the soft overcomes the hard, everyone in the world knows, yet no one can practice it. So the sage says: one who takes on the filth of the state is called the master of its altars; one who takes on the misfortunes of the state is the king of the world. True words seem contrary.
白Plain Chinese
天下没有比水更柔弱的了，而攻击坚强的东西，没有什么能胜过它，因为没有什么能取代它。弱胜过强，柔胜过刚，天下没有人不知道，却没有人能做到。所以圣人说：承受国家的屈辱，才配做社稷之主；承受国家的灾祸，才配做天下之王。正面的话听起来像反话。
Draft plain-Chinese rendering following Wang Bi; it will be checked when the chapter is taught.
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