Religion
Chapter 78
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it;--for there is nothing (so effectual) for which it can be changed.
Every one in the world knows that the soft overcomes the hard, and the weak the strong, but no one is able to carry it out in practice.
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.'
Words that are strictly true seem to be paradoxical.
Codex Note
Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.
Cite this poem
MLA
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 78.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/77/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 78.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/77/.
Read this poem with the Codex →