Religion
Chapter 8
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
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.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Codex Note
Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.
Cite this poem
MLA
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 8.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/7/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 8.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/7/.
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