Nothing in the world
is as soft and yielding as water.
 Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching (4th century BC). copy citation

add
Author Lao Tzu
Source Tao Te Ching
Topic water world
Date 4th century BC
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Stephen Mitchell
Weblink https://terebess.hu/english/tao/mitchell.html

Context

“and give to those who have far too much. The Master can keep giving because there is no end to her wealth. She acts without expectation, succeeds without taking credit, and doesn't think that she is better than anyone else. 78 Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true, but few can put it into practice.” source