61

A great society should be like a lowland delta
Toward which all things flow downstream,
Commingling their potency.

Similarly,
It is by remaining receptive
That the submissive overcomes the dominating.
By attending to the base of things,
The receptive restores balance in the world.

It is in this way that
By submitting to the weak,
The strong can win their loyalty,
And by submitting to the strong
The weak can win their protection.

Thus, there is enormous power in placing oneself below.
If a relationship is mutually beneficial,
What does it matter who wears the crown?