Chapter 36: Soft Overcoming Hard (第36章：微明)

將欲歙之，必固張之；將欲弱之，必固強之；
將欲廢之，必固興之；將欲奪之，必固與之。
是謂微明。柔弱勝剛強。
魚不可脫於淵，國之利器不可以示人。
☸

Translation

If you want to shrink something, you must first let it expand.
If you want to weaken something, you must first let it be strong.
If you want to abandon something, you must first let it flourish.
If you want to take something, you must first give it.

This is called Subtle Light (Weiming).
The soft and weak overcome the hard and strong.

Fish should not leave the deep water.
The sharp tools of the state should not be shown to others.

✦ ◆ ✦

📜 Liuren Perspective

"Subtle Light" (微明) is the ability to see the seed of change before it manifests. In Liuren Fajiao, we understand that energy moves in cycles. If a spiritual attack is at its "strongest," we know it is about to become "weak." We wait for the cycle to turn rather than fighting force with force.

"The soft and weak overcome the hard and strong" is a core tactical principle. Our rituals often use "soft" elements (water, breath, intent) to dissolve "hard" obstacles (hexes, blockages, negative entities).

"Sharp tools should not be shown" (利器不可以示人) is a rule of Secrecy. The high-level magical methods (Wicha) of the Liuren tradition are our "sharp tools." They are kept hidden (Yincang) to preserve their efficacy and to prevent them from being misused or disrespected. A master's power is most effective when it is like the "deep water"—unseen but absolute.

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