The soft and flexible will overcome. Under heaven nothing is more soft and yielding than water. On the one hand, nothing seems more adaptive and forgiving and supportive and nurturing than water. It naturally flows around obstacles in its way. But its ultimate strength paradoxically matches its evident softness.
Water can wear away a rock.
It can rust away metal. It can erode a mountain, and move a shoreline. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao. It doesn't fight, but gives life as it goes.