When a country obtains great power,
it becomes like the sea:
all streams run downward onto it.
The more powerful it grows,
the greater the need for humility.
Humility means trusting the Tao,
thus never needing to be defensive.
A great nation is like a great man:
When he makes a mistake, he realizes it.
Translation of the Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchel
