Tao Te Ching

Chapter 9
[Original text]

On [1] kindness is like water.Water is good for all things and does not fight, and it is the evil of everyone[2], so it is almost[3] in Tao.

Living in a good place, with a good heart[4], and[5] benevolence, good words, good governance[6], good deeds and abilities, and good times[7].

Husband only does not fight, so there is no preference [8].

【Note】

[1] Shang: Supreme, the most.

[2] Evil: disgust, dislike.

[3] A few: almost, close to.

[4] Yuan: quiet, hidden.

[5] With: communicate, get along.

[6] Good governance in politics: Govern the country well through politics.

[7] When: On time, it is extended to seize a favorable opportunity.

[8] You: complain, blame.

【Analysis】

The highest moral character and self-cultivation (also refers to the person with the highest moral character and self-cultivation) is like water.Water is good at nourishing all things and does not compete with all things, and it is in a place where no one wants to live, so this state of water is close to "Tao".

Choose a low-lying place when you live, your heart is as quiet and broad as a deep valley, maintain a benevolent heart when interacting with others, speak honestly, and be able to manage the country in an orderly manner in politics, and be good at using your strengths to solve problems when dealing with affairs , When acting, you are good at grasping favorable opportunities.

This kind of mentality of not competing with everything and being like water (Tao) will naturally not attract complaints and blame from others.

【Explanation by Famous Artists】

Mr. He Shang:
A person of the highest kindness is like the nature of water.Water is mist and dew in the sky, and it is a spring on earth.Everyone hates lowliness, dampness, filth and turbidity, and the water flows alone and quietly.Water is almost the same as Tao.The nature of water likes the ground, and it flows down from above the vegetation, just like a female moving down to people.The heart of the water is empty, and the abyss is deep and clear.All things are born with water, and they are empty and not full.The shadow in the water reflects the shape without losing its emotion.Everything is washed, clean and flat.It can be square and round, and it can be straight and straight.Summer is scattered and winter is condensed, moving according to the time, without losing the right time.

If it is obstructed, it will stop, if it is determined, it will flow, and it will be obedient to others.The nature of water is like this, so there is no one in the world who complains about water.

(End of this chapter)