文╱春秋．老子（604～531 B.C.E.）

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。

──選自《道德經》

【譯文】

有道德的人就像水，水能夠跟萬物融合卻不與萬物相爭，還能處在眾人嫌惡低下的地方，因為這些特性，所以說水跟道很接近。

有道德的人，像水在低處一樣謙虛，心像水一樣沉靜淵博，付出就像水滋養萬物不求回報，言行就像水照萬物磊落誠信，為政就像水能除垢所以政績卓著，做事就像水能方圓展現最好的功用，行動就像水能隨順外境而順應時勢。有道德的人，如水不爭，因為不計較，所以無所怨尤。

The Highest Excellence is Like Water

Laozi (604 BCE - 531 BCE, Spring and Autumn Period)

English translation: James Legge

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 Dao. 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 words is in their trustworthiness; 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. And when one with the highest excellence does not wrangle about his low position, no one finds fault with him.

Laozi (604 BCE - 531 BCE, Spring and Autumn Period)

English translation: James Legge

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 Dao. 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 words is in their trustworthiness; 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. And when one with the highest excellence does not wrangle about his low position, no one finds fault with him.

── from Tao Te Ching