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天下莫柔弱于水，
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Under heaven, nothing is softer or weaker than water. |
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而攻坚强者，
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Yet in attacking the hard and strong, |
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莫之能胜，
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Nothing surpasses it. |
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以其无以易之。
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Its effect is unmatched. |
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弱之胜强，
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The weak overcomes the strong, |
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柔之胜刚，
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The soft overcomes the hard. |
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天下莫不知，
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Everyone under heaven knows this, |
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莫能行。
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But few can practice it. |
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是以圣人云：
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Thus, the sage says: |
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受国之垢，
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The one who bears the people's shame |
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是谓社稷主；
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Becomes the master of their land; |
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受国不祥，
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The one who bears the nation's misfortune |
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是为天下王。
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Becomes the ruler of the world. |
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正言若反。
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True words often appear paradoxical. |