Lao Tzu for Everyone
Students, Scholars
& Seekers
Peter Gilboy, Ph.D.
Line 5 正善治 事善能
動善時
Line 6 夫唯不爭 故無尤
LESSON 8
Living the way
that water lives
At first this lesson appears to be about water. But again it is about the sage and wu wei; and potentially about each of us.
Lao Tzu is inviting us to observe the water around us, the way it works in the lake, the ocean, even the sink; to ponder it and consider water’s way. Then we will better understand the operation of the Way and the parallel operation that is available to us.
Click on each line number
for Chinese-English interlinear & commentary
1.
The highest virtue
is like water.
Water benefits everything
and does not
contend with them.
It dwells in places
that the masses reject.
Therefore it is close to the Way.
In dwelling, value the earth.
In thought, value the profound.
In giving, value heaven.
In speaking, value truth.
In governing, value order.
In duties, value ability.
In action, value the right moment.
Now, it is only
by not contending
that you will
be free from error.
. . . . . . .