Chapter 8 · The Excellence of Water

Tao Te Ching (Legge, 1891) · chapter title added by Learn the Dao

Learn the Dao: a quiet practice for learning the thing that can’t be known.

The chapter’s first line

The highest excellence is like (that of) water.

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This chapter in plain modern English — David Kooi’s rendering ↓

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. 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. And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him.

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Chapter 8, in a second rendering

Be Like Water

Dao De Kooi — an original rendering by David Kooi

If you want a working model for how to live, use water. Water helps everything and argues with nothing. It goes to the low spots everyone else is avoiding. That's about as close to the Dao as you're going to get. Stay close to the ground. Keep your thinking deep. Give without keeping score. Say the true thing. Keep order without forcing it. Move when the timing's right. It comes down to not fighting the current. Notice which way it's already going and go with it. Nothing to push against, so nothing goes wrong.

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