八章

　　上善若水。水善利万物而不争，居众人之所恶，故几于道。居善地，心善渊
，与善仁，言善信，政善治，事善能，动善时。夫唯不争，故无尤。

Chapter 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.