Thus they are hard to govern. The citizens take death lightly Because they seek the substance of life. Thus they take death lightly. Now : only he who has no use for being alive Is virtuous compared to he who values living. Seventy six The people are born (indeed!) soft and weak. They die (indeed!) hard and inflexible. The ten thousand creatures, the grass and trees, are born (indeed!) soft and fragile. They die (indeed!) dried and withered. Therefore : that which is hard and inflexible is a follower of death. That which is soft and weak is a follower of life. Thus if a weapon is inflexible, the consequence is defeat. If a tree is inflexible, then it snaps. Inflexible and great dwell below. Soft and weak dwell above. Seventy seven The Way of heaven, how it is just like stretching a bow? He who is high is pressed down by it. He who is low is lifted by it. He who has excess is reduced by it. He who does not have enough is filled by it. The Way of heaven Reduces what has excess and fills what does not have enough. The Way of people on the other hand is not like this, And takes from those who do not have enough in order to offer it to those who have too much. Who can have too much and offer it to the world? Only he who possesses Dao. Thus the sage : Acts, but is not concerned with the results. Accomplishes his tasks, but does not dwell on them. He does not desire to display his virtue. Seventy eight In the world, nothing is softer and weaker than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong, There is nothing that can surpass it. This is because it endlessly replaces itself. Weakness conquers strength. Softness conquers hardness. In the world, there is no one who does not know this, But there is no one who can practice it. Thus the sage says : Accepting upon oneself the disgrace of the nation Is called being master of the shrines. Accepting upon oneself the misfortune of the nation Is called being king of the world. Honest words seem contrary. Seventy nine Harmonize a great resentment, And there must exist some remaining resentment. How can this be considered good? Thus the sage : Holds the left side of an agreement, But does not demand payment of people. Therefore : to have De is to take charge of your agreements; To be without De is to take charge of taking away from others. The Way of heaven, while without favor, Is always with virtuous people. Eighty In a small nation with few citizens : Ensure that it has the weapons of ten nobles, but does not use them. Ensure that the citizens take death seriously, and do not migrate far. Even though they have boats and carriages, there is no