將欲歙之。必固張之。

That which is about to contract has surely been [first] expanded.

Was sich einziehen will, hatte sich sicherlich ausgedehnt.

將欲弱之。必固強之。

That which is about to weaken has surely been [first] strengthened.

Was schwach werden will, war sicherlich stark geworden.

將欲廢之。必固興之。

That which is about to fall has surely been [first] raised.

Was fallen will, war sicherlich aufgestiegen.

將欲奪之。必固與之。

That which is about to be despoiled has surely been [first] endowed.

Was sich nehmen will, hatte sich sicherlich gegeben.

是謂微明。

This is an explanation of the secret

Das heißt: Verborgenes wird klar.

柔弱勝剛強。

that the tender and the weak conquer the hard and the strong. [Therefore beware of hardness and strength :]

Weich und Schwach überwindet Hart und Stark.

魚不可脫於淵。

As the fish should not escape from the deep,

Der Fisch darf die Wassertiefe nicht verlassen.

國之利器。不可以示人。

so with the country's sharp tools the people should not become acquainted.

Des Landes scharfes Gerät darf man den Menschen nicht zeigen.