【英译】
Dilation is the sign of constringency; mightiness is the sign of enervation; flourish is the sign of disuse; dispensation is the sign of seizure. All above premonition is indistinct, but the truth and rule is very perspicuous.
The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.
Fish should be left in the deep water. The sharp weapons of the state should be left where none can see them (The lordliness and tyranny should not be used to bulldoze the common people).
【备注】
这一章向来被用来作为老子宣扬权谋、阴谋的“铁证”,但是,我相信任何一个从头到尾仔细学习过道德经的人都不会认可这种理论的。
老子在这一章简洁地呈现给我们事务的基本规律而已。