Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, read more

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.

I'm very fond of water:
It ever must delight
Each mother's son and daughter,--
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I'm very fond of water:
It ever must delight
Each mother's son and daughter,--
When qualified aright.

The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire.

The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire.

And pines with thirst amidst a sea of waves.

And pines with thirst amidst a sea of waves.

Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any read more

Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.
The very deep did rot: O Christ!
That ever this should be!
Yes, slimy things did crawl with legs
Upon the slimy sea.

Water is the only drink for a wise man.

Water is the only drink for a wise man.

O Lord! methought what pain it was to drown!
What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!
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O Lord! methought what pain it was to drown!
What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!
What sights of ugly death within mine eyes!
Methoughts I saw a thousand fearful wracks;
A thousand men that fishes gnawed upon;
Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,
Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels,
All scatt'red in the bottom of the sea:
Some lay in dead men's skulls, and in the holes
Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept
(As 'twere in scorn of eyes) reflecting gems,
That wooed the slimy bottom of the deep
And mocked the dead bones that lay scatt'red by.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

And so never ending,
But always descending.

And so never ending,
But always descending.