上善若水
The highest good is like water.
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 8
The source
"The highest good is like water." Lao Tzu said it in Tao Te Ching 8. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.
"上善若水。"Original Chinese, Tao Te Ching 8. Chinese: Wang Bi edition via zh.wikisource.
Who said it
Lao Tzu (6th century BC). Keeper of the archives at the Zhou court, by tradition the author of the Tao Te Ching: eighty-one short chapters on water, softness and knowing when to stop.
Questions
- Who said "The highest good is like water."?
- Lao Tzu (6th century BC). Source: Tao Te Ching 8.
- What is the original Chinese?
- 上善若水。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.
- Is "The highest good is like water." on a shirt?
- Yes. It is printed on our tees, from $46, with free US shipping.
Filed under Water.
Wear it with
Beating others takes force. Beating yourself takes strength.
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 33
from$46
Let muddy water sit still and it clears.
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 15
from$46
Be the headland. Let the waves break.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.49
from$46
Drop the story. Round the point. Find the flat bay.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.22
from$46
More from Lao Tzu
- Water helps everything and fights nothing.Tao Te Ching 8
- In motion, what counts is timing.Tao Te Ching 8
- Better to stop than to fill it to overflowing.Tao Te Ching 9
- Do the work, then step back. That's the way of heaven.Tao Te Ching 9
- A hall full of gold and jade can't be guarded.Tao Te Ching 9
- Thirty spokes, one hub. The empty center makes it roll.Tao Te Ching 11