# Reversals in change: summary

Discusses reversals between expansion and contraction and the ability of softness to overcome hardness.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi/chapter-36-reversals-in-change

## Source and summary

[Laozi · Dao De Jing · Reversals in change](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E9%81%93%E5%BE%B7%E7%B6%93%20%28%E7%8E%8B%E5%BC%BC%E6%9C%AC%29&oldid=2354026#%E4%B8%89%E5%8D%81%E5%85%AD%E7%AB%A0)

> 將欲歙之，必固張之；將欲弱之，必固強之；將欲廢之，必固興之；將欲奪之，必固與之。是謂微明。

Discusses reversals between expansion and contraction and the ability of softness to overcome hardness.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

Review duties fixed during rapid growth and define how they can contract when demand falls.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using reversals in change, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[Laozi: a guide to the Dao De Jing](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/laozi/chapter-36-reversals-in-change.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0