Nothing in the world is softer and weaker than water, and yet, to break hard and strong thing, nothing can prevail over it. For this nothing can replace water.
What is weak triumphs over what is strong; what is soft triumphs over what is hard. In the world everybody knows (this truth), but nobody can put it into practice.
So a wise soul says: the one who bears the shame of the kingdom becomes the master of the kingdom. The one who endures the calamities of the kingdom becomes the king of the empire.
Words of truth sound contrary (to reason).