Chapter VIII
(Chapter 8)

[------]

Ko Yuen Translation

The Nature of Peace
1. Admire thou the High Way of Water!  Is not Water the soul of the life of things, whereby they change?  Yet it seeketh its level, and abideth content in obscurity.  So also it resembleth the Tao, in this Way thereof1!
2. The virtue of a house is to be well-placed; of the mind, to be at ease in silence as of Space; of societies, to be well-disposed; of governments, to maintain quietude; of work, to be skillfully performed; and of all motion, to be made at the right time2.
3. Also it is the virtue of a man to abide in his place without discontent; thus offendeth he no man3.

[------]

S. Mitchell Translation
The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places that people disdain.
Thus it is like the Tao.

In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don't try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.

[------]

James Legge Translation
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.

[------]

GNL not Lao Interpolation

Water
The best of man is like water,
Which benefits all things, and does not contend with them,
Which flows in places that others disdain,
Where it is in harmony with the Way.

So the sage:
Lives within nature,
Thinks within the deep,
Gives within impartiality,
Speaks within trust,
Governs within order,
Crafts within ability,
Acts within opportunity.

He does not contend, and none contend against him.

[------]

Previous Tao Teh King
Main Page		 Next

[------]

Ko Yuen Commentary

1. Hydrogen and chlorine (for example) will not unite when perfectly dry.  Dryness is immobility or death.  (Cf. Book of Wisdom or Folly, the doctrine concerning Change.)

Return to text
2. In all these illustrations, Laotze deprecates restlessness or friction.

Return to text
3. This gives point to the previous paragraph.  It is all another way of saying "Do what thou wilt."

Return to text

[------]

Previous Tao Teh King
Main Page		 Next