Line by Line - Verse 78, Lines 2-3

and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it; for there is nothing (so effectual) for which it can be changed.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

Yet for attacking the solid and strong, nothing is better;
It has no equal.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard and strong
This is because nothing can replace it
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Yet, given time,
it can erode even the hardest stone.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

Looking at a pool of water in a bowl, it appears so placid and docile. It doesn't look like a force of any type; it just lays there.

But water can certainly be a force. Just ask anyone who has lived through a flood!

When water doesn't appear to be doing much of anything, as Ron Hogan points out, it is eroding whatever it is that seeks to contain it, "even the hardest stone."

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