Wen Tzu - Verse 118

from Verse One Hundred Eighteen
Coercion is contrary to virtue and harmful to beings.
~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~

Have you ever tried to get a square point into a slightly smaller round hole? It doesn't fit. If you try to force it into the hole, you will deform one or more of the corners. You may get it to stay in place, but the chances are good that it will later fall out or, if working with a mechanism, it won't work quite the way it's suppose to.

Forcing things against their nature -- whether we're speaking of life forms or tangible objects -- is a recipe for trouble. When things go OF their nature, the fitting is neither too snug nor too loose and the movement flows effortlessly.

This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.