Tao Te Ching Chapter 8 – 易性 (道德經 第8章)
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Tao Te Ching — Chapter 8: The Placid and Contented Nature
道德經 第八章 · 易性 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
居善地，心善淵，與善仁，言善信，正善治，事善能，動善時。
夫唯不爭，故無尤。
English Translation — James Legge
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 Dao.
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 words is in their trustworthiness; 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.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 8 is perhaps the most beloved in the entire Tao Te Ching. Water is Lao Tzu's supreme metaphor for the Dao: it nourishes without claiming credit, flows to the lowest places without complaint, and yields to every obstacle — yet over time it carves through stone. The seven virtues listed here are not rules to follow, but qualities that arise naturally from Taoist inner cultivation and ritual practice.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi compares the highest goodness to water, which benefits all things without striving and settles in lowly places that others despise. Though water is not the Dao itself, it comes close. The sage, like water, dwells in good places, thinks deeply, gives kindly, speaks truthfully, governs justly, acts capably, and moves at the right time. Because he does not contend, no one can find fault with him.
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong compares the highest good person to water's nature. Water in Heaven becomes mist and dew; on Earth it becomes springs and streams. It flows quietly to lowly, muddy places that others avoid. It reflects images truly, washes everything clean, conforms to any shape. It freezes in winter and flows in summer, never missing its season. Because it yields to all obstacles, no one in the world resents water.
About the Author
Paul Peng
Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.
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