We suggest you turn to the Tao Teh Ching:
78. SINCERITY There is nothing more yielding than water, yet when acting on the solid and strong, its gentleness and fluidity have no equal in any thing. The weak can overcome the strong, and the supple overcome the hard. Although this is known far and wide, few put it into practice in their lives. Although seemingly paradoxical, the person who takes upon himself, the people's humiliation, is fit to rule; and he is fit to lead, who takes the country's disasters upon himself. -- tr. S. Rosenthal