36. When one is about to take an inspiration

1 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; when he is going to overthrow another, he will first have raised him up; when he is going to despoil another, he will first have made gifts to him:—this is called ‘Hiding the light (of his procedure).’

2 The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.

3 Fishes should not be taken from the deep; instruments for the profit of a state should not be shown to the people.