The supreme good is like water,

which benefits all of creation without trying to compete with it.

It is content with the low places that people despise. Thus it is like the Tao.

Those who have the values of water know how to find the best place to live,

how to cherish the kindness from the Nature Mother,

how to behave in the relation to benevolence

how to keep their words in sincerity,

how to lead under the guideline of natural laws.

how to display in their natural talent.

how to act in efficiency.

Since they avoid contending,

there is no resistence against them.

第八章   水载道性

上善若水。水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶，故几于道。 居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，政善治，事善能，动善时。夫唯不争，故无尤。

[译文]

品德高尚的人好像水一样，水滋养万物而无争，往低处流淌，停留在人所厌恶的地方。因此，最接近于道。上善的人选择和谐的生存环境，心系道本源的仁善，与人真诚相处，言而信守承诺，治理井然有序，做事扬其所能，行动把握时机。

正是不去争夺、巧取，才可以无忧无虑。