Original Text
The softest thing in the world can gallop through the hardest; the formless void can penetrate where there is no space. Thus I understand the benefit of non-action. The teaching without words and the benefit of non-action are rarely matched in the world.
Guide
Water appears soft, yet it can penetrate hard rock and earth. Within the gentlest things often lies an invisible power so great that even the strongest cannot resist. The people are like this; rulers should govern and guide them through non-action, for force only invites resistance.Analysis
In the previous chapter, Laozi discussed the harmony of all things, and this chapter continues that discourse, further elaborating on the wonders of softness and non-action.
"The softest thing in the world" — what is the softest thing in the world? The answer is obvious: water. Water is the softest and most yielding of things. We have already introduced some of water's characteristics in previous chapters: it is calm, desireless, and can be placed into any vessel we choose. Water is the gentlest of substances, symbolizing the virtue of the Dao. It is also without desire or ambition, always quietly bypassing prosperity, flowing slowly along low-lying river valleys, moving downstream unnoticed, nourishing fields and valleys. It never lingers in steep or spectacular places; it benefits all things without dominating them. It never takes credit for its achievements but willingly stays in lowly positions.
What has been described above is the softest aspect of water, but this alone is not enough to explain its essence. What is the essence of water? Laozi said, "The essence of water is to gallop through the hardest things in the world." In Laozi's view, although water is the softest and most yielding thing, it can gallop and flow through the hardest substances. Though water is so soft that it approaches a state of near nothingness, this does not mean it is weak and easily bullied. Li Bai wrote a fine poem: "Draw a sword to cut the water, but the water flows even more." Water is gentle, yet when faced with a sharp and hard blade, it shows no fear—is this not worthy of admiration? We know the story of "dripping water wears through stone." The power of a single drop or two is negligible, but over time, dripping water can bore a hole in hard rock. Stone is a hard substance with seemingly no gaps to infiltrate, yet water can penetrate its interior through continuous accumulation. How wondrous is the power of water, characterized by its softness!
Since the dawn of the unknowable cosmic ages, water has conquered all through its gentle nature, invading nearly every domain: land, plains, hills, gullies, swamps, lowlands, and deep pools. Thus, water is the source of life for all things and the foundation of human survival; even within the mother's womb, amniotic fluid nourishes us while protecting our bodies from external pressure and harm. Therefore, water can be said to be the source that nurtures us, without which we could not grow or survive. Water's role is immense, yet it remains profoundly humble, always manifesting a state of effortless, simple, and silent gentleness.
The teaching without words and the benefit of non-action are rarely matched in the world. The gentleness of water embodies simplicity and non-action; if humans could possess the same qualities as water, they would achieve a state of calm like still water, avoiding the quagmire of striving for fame and profit, thus naturally reducing much pain and worry. Water is supremely soft and compliant, ceaseless in its non-action, facing harm with equanimity. Through this chapter, we should learn the attitude of soft water in dealing with the world; when faced with harm, we should emulate water's detachment from contention, treat everything with tolerance, and not seek revenge for every grievance.