78.

Nothing under heaven

is as yielding as water.

And yet in attacking the hard,

the unyielding,

nothing can surpass it.

Nothing can take its place.

The weak overcomes the strong,

the soft surpasses the hard.

In all the world, there’s no one

who doesn’t know this,

but no one can master the practice.

Therefore the sage declares,

“Accept a country’s disgraces

and be called its lord of soil;

embrace a country’s misfortune

and be called the world’s king.”

True words appear paradoxical.

Ho (“Harmonize”): The element “mouth” is the radical again in this character, which also means “peace” or “conciliation.” Harmony is achieved by lending our voice to others in more than a merely musical way.