The Power of Being Low
True power lies in humility. Just as the lowland gathers all streams, a great state leads by yielding. When both great and small embrace this balance, unity and mutual fulfilment arise.
A great state is like a low riverbed—
quiet, receptive,
drawing all smaller streams to it.
In nature, the feminine overcomes the masculine
by being still,
by yielding.
So a great state,
by choosing humility,
wins over smaller ones.
And a small state,
by lowering itself,
finds shelter and favour
in the great.
In giving space,
each gets what it truly seeks.
Unity is born
when strength bows
and smallness trusts.
