| Original | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Highest goodness is like water. | |
| Water benefits the ten thousand things without contending, | |
| dwelling in places people despise, | |
| thus it is close to the Dao. | |
| Dwelling is best in low places, | |
| the mind is best as a deep pool, | |
| relating is best in benevolence, | |
| speaking is best in trust, | |
| uprightness is best in governing, | |
| handling affairs is best in competence, | |
| movement is best in timing. | |
| Precisely because it does not contend, | |
| therefore there is no blame. |
above; up; upper; ascend; previous; superior
good; virtuous; skilled; to be proficient at; kindness
if; supposing; like; as if; similar to
water; river; stream; fluid; to flow
sharp; profit; benefit; advantageous; smooth; facilitate
ten thousand; myriad; countless; all; everything
thing; object; matter; creature; substance
and; but; yet; while; moreover
not; no; un-; non=
strive; contend; dispute; struggle; compete
place; position; dwell; handle; punish
crowd; multitude; the masses; numerous
person; human; people; others; mankind
it, him, her, them; of; 's; go to; reach
place; location; that which; (agentive/passive marker)
bad; evil; wicked; hate; dislike
cause; reason; former; old; therefore
how many; several; a few; almost; nearly
in; at; on; from; to; than; regarding
road; path; way; method; principle; to speak; to lead
dwell; reside; live; residence; occupy; stay
earth; ground; land; place; region; territory
heart; mind; center; intention; to think/feel
deep pool; abyss; profound; remote
and; with; give; participate; join
benevolence; humanity; kindness; humane; virtuous
word; speech; to speak; to say
trust; faith; believe; honest; message; letter
correct; upright; rectify; straight; precise; legitimate
govern; rule; manage; cure; treat; water-control
matter; affair; thing; event; task; to serve
can; able; ability; capacity; power
move; stir; act; affect; motion
time; season; moment; occasion; timely
man; husband; adult male; [particle] now; indeed; as for
only; sole; alone; yes; indeed
not; without; nothing; lacking; void
especially; particularly; outstanding; moreover