Tao Te Ching Chapter 8
Original Chinese Text
上善若水。
水善利万物而不争，
处众人之所恶，
故几于道。
居善地，心善渊，
与善仁，言善信，
正善治，事善能，
动善时。
夫唯不争，故无尤。
Pinyin (Pronunciation)
Shàng shàn ruò shuǐ.
Shuǐ shàn lì wànwù ér bù zhēng,
Chǔ zhòngrén zhī suǒ wù,
Gù jī yú dào.
Jū shàn dì, xīn shàn yuān,
Yǔ shàn rén, yán shàn xìn,
Zhèng shàn zhì, shì shàn néng,
Dòng shàn shí.
Fú wéi bù zhēng, gù wú yóu.
白话文翻译 (Plain Chinese Translation)
- 上善若水。水善利万物而不争
- 最高的善像水一样。水善于滋养万物而不争功。
- The highest good is like water—it nourishes all things without contention.
- 处众人之所恶，故几于道
- 它停留在众人厌恶的低处，所以最接近”道”。
- It flows to places people disdain—thus it resembles the Tao.
- 居善地…动善时
- 居处善于选择卑下，心胸善于保持沉静…行动善于把握时机。
- It dwells in low places (善地)… acts in perfect timing (善时).
- 夫唯不争，故无尤
- 正因为不争，所以没有过失。
- Because it does not compete, it is beyond reproach.
Key Concepts Explained
- 不争 (bù zhēng / Non-Contention): Water’s core virtue (contrasts with human ambition).
- 七善 (Seven “Shàn”): The water-like qualities of ideal conduct (location, depth, generosity, etc.).
- 无尤 (wú yóu / No Blame): Result of aligning with natural flow (compare to Chapter 22’s “no strife, no blame”).
Philosophical Essence
- Water as Taoist Symbol:
- Humility (居善地)
- Adaptability (动善时)
- Life-giving power (利万物)
- Practical Wisdom:
- Leaders should emulate water’s yielding strength (see Chapter 78’s “soft overcomes hard”).
- True effectiveness arises from non-competition (呼应 Chapter 3’s “不尚贤”).
“Be like water—formless yet filling any vessel, gentle yet wearing down stone.”
— Modern interpretation of water’s paradoxical power.
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