DIANJI · 典籍
Tao Te Ching · Chapter 36
A source-aware reading page for Tao Te Ching chapter 36.
Read Tao Te Ching chapter 36 with the Chinese text, Wang Bi and Heshang Gong commentary, Legge's 1891 translation, and source notes.
Chinese text
將欲歙之，必固張之；將欲弱之，必固強之；將欲廢之，必固興之；將欲奪之，必固與之。是謂微明。
柔弱勝剛強。魚不可脫於淵，國之利器不可以示人。
English support translation
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).'
The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.
Fishes should not be taken from the deep; instruments for the profit of a state should not be shown to the people.