Tao Te Ching·Chapter 08: the highest efficacy is like water
道德经 · 第八章
Tao Te Ching · Chapter 08
上善似水。
The highest efficacy is like water.
水善利萬物而又爭居案人之所惡，故幾於道矣。
It is because water benefits everything Yet vies to dwell in placesloathed by the crowd That it comes nearest to proper way-making.
居善地，
In dwelling, the question is where is the right place.
心善淵，
In thinking and feeling, it is how deeply.
予善天，
In giving, it is how much like nature's bounty.
言善信，
In speaking, it is how credibly.
政善治，
In governing, it is how effectively.
事善能，
In serving, it is how capably.
動善時。
In acting, it is how timely.
夫唯不，故無尤。
It is only because there is no contentiousness in proper way-makingthat it incurs no blame.