Grasp power lightly and you can't defeat it.
Hold power and you'll lose it.
Fulfill your ambition and you'll get nowhere.
Better to retire and let the wind of change do the work.
True simplicity's end is freedom of the mind.
True simplicity's fruit is peace.
A valley where no-thing ever grows grows naturally;
There's no need to possess to dominate.
other readings further drafts from the same generation
deeper strata where the meaning thins
the original
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.