From the most ancient times, the standard teachings had been: You must exhibit yourstrength and intelligence; don't let people think you are weak or foolish.

自古以来，一般的教诲都是: 人要表现坚强，不可柔弱 人要表现聪明，不要愚鲁！

However， a very unique man named Laozi appeared early on in Chinese history.

不过，中国历史上却出现一位“老子”与众不同。

Most people think that being strong is good!

路人甲：一般人都认为，刚强好啊！

But strength will break where weakness will remain intact.

老子：刚强的容易折断， 柔弱的才能够保全。

For instance， what's the hardest part of your body And what's the softest? 

老子：比如说，你身上什么最硬?什么最软?

My teeth are the hardest and my tongue is the softest. 

路人甲：牙齿最硬！舌头最软。

Take a look， I'm so old that my teeth have all fallen out yet my tongue is just fine.

老子：你看，到了我这年纪全部脱落了，舌头却完好无恙。

A huge tree is stronger than a tiny blade of grass, right?

老子： 大树比小草刚强吧? 

Right!

弟子：是啊！

But in a typhoon, it's the huge tree that gets pulled up by the force of the wind， while the tiny grass just sways back and forth.

老子：台风来的时候大树经常被连根拔起，小草却完好无恙。

Most people think that intelligence is good， but a wise person should exhibit foolishness. Great wisdom appears to be foolishness.

老子：一般人认为聪明好，但一个智者应该表现愚鲁，大智若愚。大富翁通常深藏不露。

Wealthy people often give the appearance of having nothing.

大富翁通常深藏不露。

If you want to be a success, concentrate all of your energy and intelligence on one thing and play the fool in all others.

如果想有所成就，一定要把全部的智力、精力集中在一点，而在其他方面做一个愚者才行。