Chapter XXXVI
(Chapter 36)

[-----]

Ko Yuen Translation

The Hiding of the Light
1. In order to draw breath, first empty the lungs; to weaken another, first strengthen him; to overthrow another, first exalt him; to despoil another, first load him with gifts; this is called the Occult Regimen.
2. The soft conquereth the hard; the weak pulleth down the strong.
3. The fish that leaveth ocean is lost; the method of government must be concealed from the people.

[-----]

S. Mitchell Translation
If you want to shrink something,
you must first allow it to expand.
If you want to get rid of something,
you must first allow it to flourish.
If you want to take something,
you must first allow it to be given.
This is called the subtle perception
of the way things are.

The soft overcomes the hard.
The slow overcomes the fast.
Let your workings remain a mystery.
Just show people the results.

[-----]

James Legge Translation
1. 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).'
2. The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.
3. Fishes should not be taken from the deep; instruments for the profit of a state should not be shown to the people.

[-----]

GNL not Lao Interpolation

Opposition
To reduce someone's influence, first expand it;
To reduce someone's force, first increase it;
To overthrow someone, first exalt them;
To take from someone, first give to them.

This is the subtlety by which the weak overcome the strong:
Fish should not leave their depths,
And swords should not leave their scabbards.

[-----]

Previous Tao Teh King
Main Page		 Next

[-----]

Ko Yuen Commentary
The single argument that can be aduced in favour of an Enlightened Democracy is that it provides more completely for the fooling of the Sovereign People than any other known system.

Return to text

[-----]

Previous Tao Teh King
Main Page		 Next