Laozi uses water as a metaphor for the Dao for their shared characteristics. Water has no fixed shape, conforming to its container. This mirrors the Dao’s formless nature.
When one is about to take an inspiration, he is sure to make a (previous) expiration; when he is going to weaken another, he will first strengthen him; when he is going to overthrow another, he will first have raised him up; when he is going to despoil another, he will first have made…