Tao Te Ching Book 1, Chapter 36
(1) When one is about to take an inspiration, he is sure to make a
(previous) expiration; when he is going to weaken another, he will
first strengthen him; when he is going to overthrow another, he will
first have raised him up; when he is going to despoil another, he
will first have made gifts to him:--this is called 'Hiding the light
(of his procedure).'(2) The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.
(3) Fishes should not be taken from the deep; instruments for the profit
of a state should not be shown to the people.