Water, Laozi

Water, Laozi

"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。"
- 老子, 道德經

"The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things and does not compete. It stays in places people disdain, thus it is close to the Dao. Dwell in a good place, and let the heart be deep like an abyss."
- Laozi, Dao De Jing (Chapter 8)

#Water #Laozi #DaoDeJing #Lakes #Quotes

The passage comes from Laozi’s "Dao De Jing" (Chapter 8) and is one of the most famous philosophical statements on the nature of virtue and the Dao, the Way.

Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation:

上善若水
"The highest goodness is like water."

This means that the best way to live is to be like water—adaptable, humble, and life-giving.

水善利万物而不争
"Water benefits all things and does not compete."

Water nourishes and sustains everything without expecting anything in return.

It does not fight for dominance but instead flows naturally, finding its own path.

This reflects the Daoist ideal of non-contention (bù zhēng) and effortless action (wú wéi).

处众人之所恶，故几于道
"It stays in places people disdain, thus it is close to the Dao."

Water always flows to the lowest places—valleys, rivers, and deep pools—where people often avoid.

This humility and acceptance make water a metaphor for being close to the Dao, the ultimate principle of nature and balance.

居善地
"Dwell in a good place."

One should choose a place that is peaceful, virtuous, and beneficial to others.

心善渊
"Let the heart be deep like an abyss."

The heart should be vast and profound, like a deep body of water, full of wisdom and kindness.

This suggests that one should cultivate inner depth, understanding, and compassion.

Overall Meaning:

This passage teaches that the highest virtue is like water—it nourishes all things, remains humble, avoids conflict, and follows the natural flow of life. Just as water adapts and flows effortlessly, so too should people cultivate a gentle yet strong, humble yet profound way of living.

This aligns with Daoist principles of flexibility, humility, and effortless action (wú wéi)—rather than forcing outcomes, one should adapt, be kind, and let things unfold naturally.


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