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,
正善治,事善能,動善時。
夫唯不爭,故無尤。
譯文
最善的人好像水一樣。水善於滋潤萬物而不與萬物相爭,停留在眾人都不喜歡的地方,所以最接近於道。 最善的人,居處最善於選擇地方,心胸善於保持沉靜而深不可測,待人善於真誠、友愛和無私, 說話善於恪守信用,為政善於精簡處理,能把國家治理好,處事能夠善於發揮所長,行動善於把握時機。 最善的人所作所為,正因為有不爭的美德,所以沒有過失,也就沒有怨咎。
English Translation
The highest good is like water.
Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not st rive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just .
In business, be competent .
In action, watch the timing.
No fight, No blame.