Chapter 8

Original Text

上善若水。水善利萬物而不爭。
處眾人之所惡，故幾於道。
居善地，心善淵，與善仁，言善信，政善治，事善能，動善時。
夫唯不爭，故無尤。

Translation

The highest good is like water.
Water benefits the ten thousand beings and does not contend.

It lodges where people disdain to dwell; therefore it is close to Dao.

In dwelling—be good at choosing the place;
in heart—be good at depth;
in giving—be good at benevolence;
in speech—be good at trust;
in governance—be good at order;
in work—be good at capability;
in movement—be good at timing.

Only because it does not contend is it without reproach.

Word Notes

• 幾於道: “Near to Dao”—approximates its character.
• 尤: Fault, blame.
• The seven “good ats” map water’s traits to human domains: place, heart, giving, speech, polity, tasks, timing.

Chapter Explanation

Water’s virtues—benefit without rivalry, humility, adaptability—are a template. Laozi then applies “being like water” to seven arenas of life. The through-line is right placement and right measure: find the low, appropriate spot; be deep, reliable, orderly, competent, and timely. Non-contention keeps faults at bay.

Discourse

Live and govern “water-wise”: choose the low ground, relieve rather than inflame, and time your moves. Do not mistake non-contention for passivity; it is strength without abrasiveness. Done well, it disarms opposition and leaves no handle for blame, much as water wears down stone without a quarrel.