WORDS & IDEAS
Rou 柔
Softness. The living are supple; the dead are rigid. Softness is explored as responsiveness and endurance, especially through the images of water and infancy.
The strength of softness
将欲歙之，必固张之。
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;…
Read chapterThe softest overcomes
天下之至柔，驰骋天下之至坚。
The softest thing in the world dashes against and overcomes the hardest; that which has no (substantial) existence enters where there is no crevice. I…
Read chapterThe newborn child
含德之厚，比于赤子。
He who has in himself abundantly the attributes (of the Tao) is like an infant. Poisonous insects will not sting him; fierce beasts will not seize him;…
Read chapterLiving things are soft
人之生也柔弱，其死也坚强。
Man at his birth is supple and weak; at his death, firm and strong. (So it is with) all things. Trees and plants, in their early growth, are soft and…
Read chapterNothing is softer than water
天下莫柔弱于水，而攻坚强者，莫之能胜，其无以易之。
There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take…
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