tao te ching 8
The excellence of [...] the mind is in abysmal stillness
http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/texts/taote-v
3.html#8
http://www.duhtao.com/translations.html
stephen mitchell
8
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.
~~~
http://www.chinapage.com/gnl.html#08
8. 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.
~~~
Ron Hogan
Tao Te Ching
modern interpretation of Lao Tzu
copyright 2002, 2004
8
"Doing the right thing" is like water.
It's good for all living things,and flows without thinking
about where it's going
...just like Tao.
Keep your feet on the ground.
Remember what's important.
Be there when people need you.
Say what you mean.
Be prepared for anything.
Do whatever you can,
whenever it needs doing.
If you don't
compare yourself to others,
nobody can compare to you.
~~~
James Legge
Legge, James, The Texts of Taoism, 2 Vols, The Sacred Books of
the East Vols. 39 & 40, (Oxford: Oxford University Press,
1891; reissued New York: Dover, 1962)...
8
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.
~~~
Frederic H. Balfour
Frederic Henry Balfour (fl. 1871-1908) was a British
expatriate editor, essayist, author, and sinologist, living in
Shanghai during the Victorian era. He is most notable for his
translation of the writings known today as the Tao Te Ching.
Many of these translations appeared in his 1884 treatise:
Taoist Texts: Ethical, Political and Speculative, also known
simply as Taoist Texts.[1] Although later discoveries of
supplemental manuscripts have somewhat obscured Balfour's
early sinology, his work is still used as a primary source for
many scholars of the Tao Te Ching.
8
The goodness of the Ruler resembles water [in pliancy,
adaptability, and fertilising power]. The goodness of water is
beneficial to all things, and that without struggling.
The abiding-place [of the Imperial goodness] is despised by
the multitude [for it is lowly-referring to the downward
course of water]; and therefore it is near to TAO. Wherever it
dwells, it sanctifies the spot. In the heart, its sanctifying
properties are unfathomable. In bestowing, it sanctifies
benevolence; in speaking, it sanctifies trustworthiness; in
administration, it sanctifies government; in the fulfilment of
daily work, it sanctifies ability; in the adoption of public
measures it sanctifies acting seasonably. It alone never
strives against [or places itself in opposition to] anyone;
and therefore it gives rise to no resentful feelings.
~~~
Translation by:
D. T. Suzuki and Dr. Paul Carus
8
EASY BY NATURE.
1. Superior goodness resembleth water. The water's goodness
benefiteth the ten thousand things, yet it quarreleth not.
2. Water dwelleth in the places which the multitudes of men
shun; therefore it is near unto the eternal Reason
3. The dwelling of goodness is in lowliness. The heart of
goodness is in commotion. When giving, goodness showeth
benevolence. In words, goodness keepeth faith. In government
goodness standeth for order. In business goodness exhibiteth
ability. The movements of goodness keep time.
4. It quarreleth not. Therefore it is not rebuked.
~~~
J. H. McDonald
Tao te Ching, by Lau-Tzu
(1996)
8
The supreme good is like water,
which benefits all of creation
without trying to compete with it.
It gathers in unpopular places.
Thus it is like the Tao.
The location makes the dwelling good.
Depth of understanding makes the mind good.
A kind heart makes the giving good.
Integrity makes the government good.
Accomplishment makes your labors good.
Proper timing makes a decision good.
Only when there is no competition
will we all live in peace.
~~~
D.C. Lau 1963
8
Highest good is like water.
Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures
without contending with them and settles where none would like
to be, it comes close to the way.
In a home it is the site that matters;
In quality of mind it is depth that matters;
In an ally it is benevolence that matters;
In speech it is good faith that matters;
In government it is order that matters;
In affairs it is ability that matters;
In action it is timeliness that matters.
It is because it does not contend that it is never at fault.
~~~
Dwight Goddard and Henri Borel
TAO TEH KING
1919
8
THE NATURE OF GOODNESS
True goodness is like water, in that it benefits everything
and harms nothing. Like water it ever seeks the lowest place,
the place that all others avoid. It is closely kin to the Tao.
For a dwelling it chooses the quiet meadow; for a heart the
circling eddy. In generosity it is kind; in speech it is
sincere; in authority it is order; in affairs it is ability;
in movement it is rhythm.
Inasmuch as it is always peaceable it is never rebuked.
1955 r.b. blakney
~~~~
Gia-fu Feng and Jane English
The Tao Te Ching
Vintage Books, 1989
8
The highest goodness, water-like,
Does good to everything and goes
Unmurmuring to places men despise;
But so, is close in nature to the Way.
If the good of the house is from land,
Or the good of the mind is depth,
Or love is the virtue of friendship,
Or honesty blesses one's talk,
Or in government, goodness is order,
Or in business, skill is admired,
Or the worth of an act lies in timing,
Then peace is the goal of the Way
By which no one ever goes astray.
8The highest good is like water.
Water give life to the ten thousand things and does not
strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In daily life, be competent.
In action, be aware of the time and the season.
No fight: No blame.
http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/texts/taote-v
3.html#8
http://www.duhtao.com/translations.html
stephen mitchell
8
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.
~~~
http://www.chinapage.com/gnl.html#08
8. 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.
~~~
Ron Hogan
Tao Te Ching
modern interpretation of Lao Tzu
copyright 2002, 2004
8
"Doing the right thing" is like water.
It's good for all living things,and flows without thinking
about where it's going
...just like Tao.
Keep your feet on the ground.
Remember what's important.
Be there when people need you.
Say what you mean.
Be prepared for anything.
Do whatever you can,
whenever it needs doing.
If you don't
compare yourself to others,
nobody can compare to you.
~~~
James Legge
Legge, James, The Texts of Taoism, 2 Vols, The Sacred Books of
the East Vols. 39 & 40, (Oxford: Oxford University Press,
1891; reissued New York: Dover, 1962)...
8
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.
~~~
Frederic H. Balfour
Frederic Henry Balfour (fl. 1871-1908) was a British
expatriate editor, essayist, author, and sinologist, living in
Shanghai during the Victorian era. He is most notable for his
translation of the writings known today as the Tao Te Ching.
Many of these translations appeared in his 1884 treatise:
Taoist Texts: Ethical, Political and Speculative, also known
simply as Taoist Texts.[1] Although later discoveries of
supplemental manuscripts have somewhat obscured Balfour's
early sinology, his work is still used as a primary source for
many scholars of the Tao Te Ching.
8
The goodness of the Ruler resembles water [in pliancy,
adaptability, and fertilising power]. The goodness of water is
beneficial to all things, and that without struggling.
The abiding-place [of the Imperial goodness] is despised by
the multitude [for it is lowly-referring to the downward
course of water]; and therefore it is near to TAO. Wherever it
dwells, it sanctifies the spot. In the heart, its sanctifying
properties are unfathomable. In bestowing, it sanctifies
benevolence; in speaking, it sanctifies trustworthiness; in
administration, it sanctifies government; in the fulfilment of
daily work, it sanctifies ability; in the adoption of public
measures it sanctifies acting seasonably. It alone never
strives against [or places itself in opposition to] anyone;
and therefore it gives rise to no resentful feelings.
~~~
Translation by:
D. T. Suzuki and Dr. Paul Carus
8
EASY BY NATURE.
1. Superior goodness resembleth water. The water's goodness
benefiteth the ten thousand things, yet it quarreleth not.
2. Water dwelleth in the places which the multitudes of men
shun; therefore it is near unto the eternal Reason
3. The dwelling of goodness is in lowliness. The heart of
goodness is in commotion. When giving, goodness showeth
benevolence. In words, goodness keepeth faith. In government
goodness standeth for order. In business goodness exhibiteth
ability. The movements of goodness keep time.
4. It quarreleth not. Therefore it is not rebuked.
~~~
J. H. McDonald
Tao te Ching, by Lau-Tzu
(1996)
8
The supreme good is like water,
which benefits all of creation
without trying to compete with it.
It gathers in unpopular places.
Thus it is like the Tao.
The location makes the dwelling good.
Depth of understanding makes the mind good.
A kind heart makes the giving good.
Integrity makes the government good.
Accomplishment makes your labors good.
Proper timing makes a decision good.
Only when there is no competition
will we all live in peace.
~~~
D.C. Lau 1963
8
Highest good is like water.
Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures
without contending with them and settles where none would like
to be, it comes close to the way.
In a home it is the site that matters;
In quality of mind it is depth that matters;
In an ally it is benevolence that matters;
In speech it is good faith that matters;
In government it is order that matters;
In affairs it is ability that matters;
In action it is timeliness that matters.
It is because it does not contend that it is never at fault.
~~~
Dwight Goddard and Henri Borel
TAO TEH KING
1919
8
THE NATURE OF GOODNESS
True goodness is like water, in that it benefits everything
and harms nothing. Like water it ever seeks the lowest place,
the place that all others avoid. It is closely kin to the Tao.
For a dwelling it chooses the quiet meadow; for a heart the
circling eddy. In generosity it is kind; in speech it is
sincere; in authority it is order; in affairs it is ability;
in movement it is rhythm.
Inasmuch as it is always peaceable it is never rebuked.
1955 r.b. blakney
~~~~
Gia-fu Feng and Jane English
The Tao Te Ching
Vintage Books, 1989
8
The highest goodness, water-like,
Does good to everything and goes
Unmurmuring to places men despise;
But so, is close in nature to the Way.
If the good of the house is from land,
Or the good of the mind is depth,
Or love is the virtue of friendship,
Or honesty blesses one's talk,
Or in government, goodness is order,
Or in business, skill is admired,
Or the worth of an act lies in timing,
Then peace is the goal of the Way
By which no one ever goes astray.
8The highest good is like water.
Water give life to the ten thousand things and does not
strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In daily life, be competent.
In action, be aware of the time and the season.
No fight: No blame.