译文：大国是天下人前往的目的地，是众人归附、聚集的地方，是充满吸引力和蕴藏无限生机的地方。雌性一贯用来赢得雄性的方法，就是用安平宁静来显示她的谦下。因此，大国如果能谦让和礼遇小国，就能获得小国的归附；小国如果对大国恭谨顺服，就可以获得大国的强助。所以说有的用谦下获得了归附，有的用谦下获得了强助。大国的目的只是要得到别人的归附，小国的需要无非是想获得别人的帮助，双方都能从谦下中获得自己的需要，那么还是由势力强大的一方表示谦下更合适。
《道德经》（第六十一章）
大国者下流，
天下之交，
天下之牝。
牝常以静胜牡，
以静为下。
故大国以下小国，
则取小国；
小国以下大国，
则取大国。
故或下以取，
或下而取。
大国不过欲兼畜人，
小国不过欲入事人。
夫两者各得其所欲，
大者宜为下。
Chapter 61
A large state is like a low-lying estuary,
the female of all under heaven.
In the congress of all under heaven,
the female always conquers the male through her stillness.
Because she is still, it is fitting for her to lie low.
By lying beneath a small state,
a large state can take over a small state.
By lying beneath a large state,
a small state can be taken over by a large state.
Therefore,
One may either take over or be taken over by lying low.
Therefore,
The large state wishes only to annex and nurture others;
The small state wants only to join with and serve others.
Now,
Since both get what they want,
It is fitting for the large state to lie low.
