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Chapter 8
第八章
The highest excellence is like (that of) water.
上善若水。
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.
水善利万物而不争，处众人所恶，
Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Tao.
故几于道矣。
The excellence of a residence is in (the suitability of) the place; that of the mind is in abysmal stillness;
居，善地；心，善渊；
that of associations is in their being with the virtuous; that of government is in its securing good order;
与，善仁；政，善治；
that of (the conduct of) affairs is in its ability; and that of (the initiation of) any movement is in its timeliness.
事，善能；动，善时。
And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about his low position), no one finds fault with him.
夫惟不争，故无尤。
