(no subject)
Lao-tzu said:
Those who overcome others have power, those who overcome themselves are strong. Those who can be strong are invariably those who can utilize the power of others. Those who can utilize the power of others are invariably those who win the hearts of others. [...]
To gain the land does not mean to assume power, rank, and title; it means to mobilize the hearts of the land and gain the strength of the land. If you have rulership in name but are not praised by anyone, this is to lose the land.
Therefore when the land has the Way, it is defended by all neighboring peoples. When the land loses the Way, it is defended by its own lords. If the lords gain the Way, their defense is in their borders; if the lords lose the way, their defense is in their associates. Therefore it is said, "Do not rely on not being plundered, rely on being impossible to plunder." So to denounce assassination and usurpation while pursuing a close vulnerable to plunder is of no benefit to maintaining the land.
-Wen-Tzu, Chapter 132
Those who overcome others have power, those who overcome themselves are strong. Those who can be strong are invariably those who can utilize the power of others. Those who can utilize the power of others are invariably those who win the hearts of others. [...]
To gain the land does not mean to assume power, rank, and title; it means to mobilize the hearts of the land and gain the strength of the land. If you have rulership in name but are not praised by anyone, this is to lose the land.
Therefore when the land has the Way, it is defended by all neighboring peoples. When the land loses the Way, it is defended by its own lords. If the lords gain the Way, their defense is in their borders; if the lords lose the way, their defense is in their associates. Therefore it is said, "Do not rely on not being plundered, rely on being impossible to plunder." So to denounce assassination and usurpation while pursuing a close vulnerable to plunder is of no benefit to maintaining the land.
-Wen-Tzu, Chapter 132