Tao Te Ching Chapter 72

 

When people have no fear of force,

Then (as is the common practice) great force descends upon them.

 

Despise not their dwellings,

Dislike not their progeny.

Because you do not dislike them,

You will not be disliked yourself.

Therefore the Sage knows himself, but does not show himself,

Loves himself, but does not exalt himself.

Therefore he rejects the one (force) and

accepts the other (gentility).