第六十一章   卑謙取上

大國者下流，天下之交，天下之牝。牝常以靜勝牡，以靜為下。
故大國以下小國，則取小國。小國以下大國，則取大國。故或下以取，或下而取。大國不過欲兼畜人，小國不過欲入事人。夫兩者各得其所欲，大者宜為下。

 [譯文]

大國要像江河的下游那樣，處在交匯的位置，使百川交匯在這里。雌柔常以安靜無爭而勝過雄強，就是因為它柔讓的緣故。所以，大國對小國謙讓，就可以取得小國的信賴；小國對大國謙下，就可以取得大國的包容。所以，或大國對小國包容而獲信任，或小國對大國謙下而得依賴。大國不過分地統(tǒng)治小國，小國不過分地依賴大國。

兩方面各得所求，相安無事。要想成就大國之儀，首先要先學會謙讓。

StayingLow to Gain Domination

A large country is like low land where rivers flow, a place whereeverything comes together, the female of all. The female overcomes the malewith tranquillity. Tranquillity is underneath.

Hence,is a great country can lower itself before a small country, it will win overthe small country; and if a small country can lower itself before a greatcountry,

it willgain the protection of a great country.

Thus one win by placing himself below, and the other win by being below.

After all, what a big state wants is but to annex and herd others, Andwhat a small state wants is merely to join and serve others. What a big countrywants is but to shelter others, And what a small country wants is but to beable to come in and be sheltered. What a great country wants is simply toembrace more people; and what a small country wants is simply to come to serveits patron.

Yet whata larger country wants is to unite and shelte others,

and whata small organization wants

is tojoin and to be sheltered.

Thus both get what they want. A large country ought to place itself low.