Chapitre 08
原文
上善若水。水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶，故几于道矣。
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。
现代中文 （巴黎老唐）
最高的善像水一样。水，善于滋润万物，而不与万物相争。它处身于众人所不喜欢的地方，所以跟“道”很相近。
处身低下如水，胸怀宁静深沉；交往多仁爱，言语满诚信，执政讲方法，做事靠才华，行动合时宜。
只有与人不争，方能无过无失。
Translated by Paris Lao Tang
A man of higher virtue is like water. Water is good at doing right things for people and does not compete. It takes places hated by crowd. So this virtue approaches the Tao.
A man of virtue enjoys the most humble situation; his love is as deep as an abyss; he shows great humanity when he meets others; he tells truth when he speaks; he brings peace when he governs; he is skilled when he acts; it masters the good timing when he moves.
He does not compete against anyone; that is why he receives no blames.
A man of higher virtue is like water. Water is good at doing right things for people and does not compete. It takes places hated by crowd. So this virtue approaches the Tao.
A man of virtue enjoys the most humble situation; his love is as deep as an abyss; he shows great humanity when he meets others; he tells truth when he speaks; he brings peace when he governs; he is skilled when he acts; it masters the good timing when he moves.
He does not compete against anyone; that is why he receives no blames.
Traduction de S.J. (1842) revisitée par Paris Lao Tang
L'homme d'une vertu supérieure est comme l'eau.
L'eau excelle à faire du bien aux êtres et ne lutte point.
Elle habite les lieux que déteste la foule.
C'est pourquoi cette vertu s’approche du Tao.
(L’homme de vertu) se plaît dans la situation la plus humble.
Son cœur aime à être profond comme un abîme.
S’il rencontre son prochain, il excelle à montrer de l'humanité.
S'il parle, il excelle à pratiquer la vérité.
S'il gouverne, il excelle à procurer la paix.
S'il agit, il excelle à montrer des capacités.
S'il se meut, il excelle à se conformer aux temps.
Il ne lutte contre personne ; c'est pourquoi il ne reçoit aucune marque de blâme.