牝常以静胜牡，以静为下。
The female by quiescence conquers the male; by quiescence gets underneath.
故大国以下小国，则取小国；小国以下大国，则取大国。
If a large kingdom can in the same way succeed in getting underneath a small kingdom then it will win the adherence of the small kingdom; and it is because small kingdoms are by nature in this way underneath large kingdoms that they win the adherence of large kingdoms.
故或下以取，或下而取。
The one must get underneath in order to do it; the other is underneath and therefore does it.
大国不过欲兼畜人，小国不过欲人事人。
# 1What large countries really need is more inhabitants; and what small countries need is some place Where their surplus inhabitants can go and get employment.
夫两者各得其所欲，大者宜为下。
Thus each gets what it needs. #2 That is why I say the large kingdom must “get underneath”.