道德经英文版（谦德第六十一）
~{ 大邦者下流，天下之牝，天下之交也。牝常以静胜牡，以静为下~}
~{。~}
~{ 故大邦以下小邦，则取小邦；小邦以下大邦，则取大邦。故或下~}
~{以取，或下而取。大邦不过欲兼畜人，小邦不过欲入事人。夫两者各~}
~{得所欲，大者宜为下。~}
61. Submission
A nation is like a hierarchy, a marketplace, and a maiden.
A maiden wins a husband by submitting to his advances;
Submission is a means of union.
So when a large country submits to a small country
It will adopt the small country;
When a small country submits to a large country
It will be adopted by the large country;
The one submits and adopts;
The other submits and is adopted.
It is in the interest of a large country to unite and gain service,
And in the interest of a small country to unite and gain patronage;
If both would serve their interests,
Both must submit.