The secret's explanation

 

[That which] is going to desire [viz., to have the tendency] to contract itself,

surely assuredly has extended itself.

[That which] is going to desire to weaken itself,

surely assuredly [has] strengthened itself.

[That which] is going to desire to ruin itself,

surely assuredly has raised itself.

[That which] is going to intend to deprive itself,

surely assuredly [it has] endowed itself.

This is called the secret's explanation.

The tender [and] the weak conquer the stiff [and] the strong.

[As] the fish not should escape from the deep,

[so] the empire's sharp tools not should thereby be shown to the people.