1. the highest excellence is like (that of) water. the excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike. hence (its way) is near to (that of) the tao.

2. the excellence of a residence is in (the suitability of) the place; that of the mind is in abysmal stillness; that of associations is in their being with the virtuous; that of government is in its securing good order; that of (the conduct of) affairs is in its ability; and that of (the initiation of) any movement is in its timeliness.

3. and when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him.

上善若水。水善利万物而不爭，處眾人之所惡，故几于道。

居善地，心善淵，与善仁，言善信，政善治，事善能，動善時。

夫唯不爭，故無尤。

【译文】

上好的行为典范就像水一样。水，善于利导万物而不与之争，处守于众人所不愿处的低下处，所以，接近于道。

水，居处善于择下而居，存心幽深而明澈，交游共处谐和相亲，言行表里如一，公共关系易于清静太平，办事能干，行动善于应机顺势而行。正因为水总是利导万物而不与之争，所以，它很少患过失。