In the whole World nothing is softer or weaker than water. And yet even those who succeed when attacking the hard and the strong cannot overcome it because nothing can harm it.
The weak overcome the strong. The soft conquers the hard. No one in the world can deny this yet no one seems to know how to put it into practice.
Therefore the Sage says “One who accepts a people’s shame is qualified to rule it. One who embraces a condemned people is called the king of the Universe.” True words seem paradoxical.
(Tao Teh King 78–Mabry translation)
In the whole World nothing is softer or weaker than water. And yet even those who succeed when attacking the hard and the strong cannot overcome it Because noting can harm it. Lin Yutang: “There is nothing weaker than water but none is superior to it in overcoming the hard, for which there is no substitute.” Here again we have the constant theme of Lao Tzu as to the wisdom of flexibility and accommodation. Though others may think of us as water, “weak as water” being a common expression, yet if we persist in our determination to be soft and flexible we shall eventually prevail. Many times it is simply a matter of karma: overcoming the negative karmas of others with our positive karma. But not in the sense of conquering or vanquishing, but of clearing up and healing. Harmlessness is the way to become invulnerable and unharmed.
The weak overcome the strong. The soft conquers the hard. No one in the world can deny this yet no one seems to know how to put it into practice.
Certainly he who does know how to put this wisdom of Lao Tzu into practice is the greatest of sages and a blessing to the entire world. One of the great problems of humanity is knowing the right principles but having no insight as how to apply them.
Therefore the Sage says “One who accepts a people’s shame is qualified to rule it. One who embraces a condemned people is called the king of the Universe.” True words seem pardoxical. Legge: “Therefore a sage has said, “He who accepts his state’s reproach, is hailed therefore its altars’ lord; to him who bears men’s direful woes they all the name of King accord.” Chan: “Therefore the sage says: He who suffers disgrace for his country is called the lord of the land. He who takes upon himself the country’s misfortunes becomes the king of the empire. Straight words seem to be their opposite.” Byrn: “Therefore the Master says: “Only he who is the lowest servant of the kingdom is worthy to become its ruler. He who is willing to tackle the most unpleasant tasks is the best ruler in the world.” Blackney: “Because of this the Wise Man says that only one who bears the nation’s shame is fit to be its hallowed lord; that only one who takes upon himself the evils of the world may be its king. This is paradox.” Lin Yutang: “Who bears himself the sins of the world is king of the world.”
As you see, nearly every translation I have consulted has given different but valuable perspective on this verse. Two facts are affirmed in these translations:
- The wise can take upon themselves the ills of a nation, often by being persecuted by those for whom they suffer or by identifying with those faults. There is here a very definite idea of a kind of mediator with heaven on the behalf of the people, one who sorrows for their evils and folly and may even give his life for them.
- Truth–true wisdom–often seems to be contradictory or paradoxical; though clear it seems to be confused and nonsensical. To most people Lao Tzu was just a goofy and disagreeable old man. No one but the gate keeper minded when he left to never be seen or heard of again. But millions through the centuries have revered and even worshipped him.
All praise be to the great master-teachers of the world, and may we be master-students of their wisdom.
Next in the Tao Teh King for Awakening: Peace Settlements