Commentary

This chapter suggests hiding the light, that is your real intention of doing something. A parallel to this chapter is the saying of Jesus in Gospel of Thomas where he says that one who wishes to kill an important person must prepare in advance in his own house as to have some expertise inside him prior of killing.

Here, at Lao-tzu, we find also that one needs to hide his intent in order to succeed.

What is the meaning of the "soft overcomes the hard"? Simply, one can overcome the hard when the hard is not yet hard, that is, it is soft.

And what is meant by "fishes should not be taking from the deep"? This is related to the interpretation of the first part of chapter, that is, when someone is aware of our intent it is hard (difficult) to be seized, the same as a fish can't be caught from deep waters.

Another interpretation of this chapter is offered by Gao Heng: "These lines speak of the way of Heaven… Laozi is warning against taking what is waxing for a permanent state, against counting on the stronger, against rejoicing in promotion, against craving to be provided for".(*)