If a great country yields to a small country, it will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, it will be conquered by the great country.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the dynamics of power and submission between countries, suggesting that yielding leads to domination.
Laozi's quote reflects on the intricate relationships between powerful and weaker nations. It conveys the idea that when a strong country shows leniency or compromise with a weaker nation, it risks losing its own power. Conversely, if a weaker nation submits to a stronger one, it signifies a surrender that ultimately leads to its own subjugation. This philosophy suggests that the act of yielding is critical in determining the balance of power in international relations.
In practice
During a discussion on international relations, one might use this quote to illustrate the consequences of compromise between nations.
If you understand others you are smart._x000D_ If you understand yourself you are illuminated._x000D_ If you overcome others you are powerful._x000D_ If you overcome yourself you have strength._x000D_ If you know how to be satisfied you are rich._x000D_ If you can act with vigor, you have a will._x000D_ If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting._x000D_ If you die without loss, you are eternal.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
The mob that hails the man on horseback, the Caesars and conquering heroes, does not retain its freedoms for long.
In Buddhist teaching, ignorance is considered the fundamental cause of violence - ignorance... about the separation of self and other... about the consequences of our actions.
There are, above all, times in which the human reality, always mobile, accelerates, and bursts into vertiginous speeds. Our time is such a one, for it is made of descent and fall.
I find rebellion packaged by a major corporation a little hard to take seriously.
Great men or men of great gifts you shall easily find, but symmetrical men never.
Where is the Life we lost in living?
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.