Chinese text
大国者下流，天下之交，天下之牝。
牡常以静胜牝，以静为下。
故大国以下小国，则取小国；小国以下大国，则取大国。
故或下以取，或下而取。
大国不过欲兼畜人，小国不过欲入事人。
此两者各得其所欲，大者宜为下。
Translation
A great state should humble itself like rivers and seas, where all the waters of the empire converge.
In the world, such is the role of the female. By remaining at rest, she constantly triumphs over the male. This rest is a kind of humility.
Therefore, if a great state humbles itself before the smaller states, it will gain the smaller states.
If the smaller states humble themselves before a great state, they will gain the great state.
Therefore, some humble themselves to receive, and others humble themselves to be received.
What a great state desires above all is to unite and govern other people.
What a small state desires above all is to be admitted to serve other people.
Thus both obtain what they desired.
But the great must humble themselves!
Notes
E: The expression '下流' (xiàliú), meaning 'what flows down,' refers to rivers and seas. The way, that is, the conduct of a great state, can be compared to rivers and seas and '天下之牝' (the female of the world). Now, rivers and seas are situated (literally, 'reside') below the level of all waters; and because they occupy a low and inferior position, the waters of the entire '天下' (world) flow into them.
刘劼夫 gives a different meaning to the words '下流' (xiàliú); he interprets them as 'state of humility.' If a great state can truly maintain a lower position, that is, humble itself, to bring the world to join and submit to it...
B: He who governs a great state should be like rivers and seas that, flowing downward, gather all the rivers of the world into their bosom. If the ruler of a great state knows how to humble himself and welcome inferiors with kindness, those near him will rejoice, and those far away will come eagerly; the whole world will submit to him, just as waters rush toward rivers and seas and gather in their bosom.
E: The female is not stronger than the male, and yet, through softness and calm, she constantly triumphs over the male. This is because, through her calm, she humbles herself and lowers herself below the male.
B: If the ruler of a great state can humble himself, lower himself, remain calm and tranquil, and treat the smaller states with benevolence and humanity, they will be moved by his virtue (德, dé) and submit to him. This is the art by which great states gain smaller states, attract them to themselves, and enrich themselves with their territory.
B: If the ruler of a small state knows how to humble himself and lower himself, be calm and tranquil, and serve the ruler of a great state, the latter will treat him with benevolence and humanity. He (C) will receive him as one of his vassals and protect him from the attacks of his enemies. This is the art by which small states gain the benevolence and protection of great states.
E: The words '以取' (yǐ qǔ) mean '取人' (qǔ rén), 'to take, to gain men,' that is, according to 刘劼夫 , to gain their affection and not lose it.
The words '而取' (ér qǔ) mean '取于人' (qǔ yú rén), literally 'to be taken (i.e., received) by men.'
A explains the word '兼畜' (jiān xù) by '牧' (mù), a verb which, like ποιμαίνω in Greek, means 'to shepherd' and 'to govern.'
E: A great state desires to unite under its power and govern the people of other states. If now it humbles itself before the small states, the small states will come to submit to it. A small state desires to be admitted to serve the people (i.e., the rulers of great states). If now it humbles itself before a great state, and the great state receives it with benevolence, both will get what they desired.
The desires of a small state are limited to serving the people (the powerful rulers); but the desire of a great state is to unite under its power and govern the people (of neighboring states). If he who serves other people sees that a certain ruler is not respectful toward him, he will leave and go to offer his obedience to another. If he who had united under his power and governed the people (of neighboring states) loses the obedience of a small state, one cannot say that he unites and governs the people. This is why the great must especially humble themselves.
By humbling itself," says 王弼 , "a small state preserves itself; that is all its ambition can be. It cannot cause the whole world to submit to it. But if a great state humbles itself, all other states will come to submit to it. This is why the great must especially humble themselves and lower themselves.
