1. that whereby the rivers and seas are able to receive the homage and tribute of all the valley streams, is their skill in being lower than they;--it is thus that they are the kings of them all. so it is that the sage (ruler), wishing to be above men, puts himself by his words below them, and, wishing to be before them, places his person behind them.

2. in this way though he has his place above them, men do not feel his weight, nor though he has his place before them, do they feel it an injury to them.

3. therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and do not weary of him. because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with him.

江海所以能为百谷王者，以其善下之，故能为百谷王。

是以圣人欲上民，以其言下之；欲先民，以其身后之。

是以处上而民不重，处前而民不害。

是以天下乐推而不厌。

以其不争，故天下莫能与之争。

【译文】

江海之所以能为百川河流所汇注而成王，就是因为它善于处下，所以能成为百川之王。因此，圣人要得到人民的推崇，必先在言行上对人民表示谦下；要引导人民，必先把自己的利益放在人民的后面。因此他虽然地位居于人民之上，但人民却并不感到负担沉重；虽然走在人民的前面，但人民却并不感到他构成妨碍。因此他得到了天下人民永不厌弃的真心拥戴。因为他不与人相争，所以天下没有人能和他相争。