「上善若水。水善利萬物而不爭,處眾人之所惡(wù), 故幾於道。 居善地,心善淵,與善仁,言善信,政善治,事善能,動善時。夫唯不爭,故無尤。」——《老子》第八章
在看譯文之前,我們先把文言文翻譯成白話文:
「最善的人好像水一樣。水善於滋潤萬物而不與萬物相爭,停留在眾人都不喜歡的地方,所以最接近於「道」。最善的人,居處最善於選擇地方,心胸善於保持沉靜而深不可測,待人善於真誠、友愛和無私,說話善于格守信用,為政善於精簡處理,能把國家治理好,處事能夠善於發揮所長,行動善於把握時機。最善的人所作所為正因為有不爭的美德,所以沒有過失,也就沒有怨咎。」
接下來是期待已久的譯文(1880 - D.T. Suzuki & Paul Carus):
1. Superior goodness resembleth water. The water's goodness benefiteth the ten thousand things, yet it quarreleth not.
2. Water dwelleth in the places which the multitudes of men shun; therefore it is near unto the eternal Reason
3. The dwelling of goodness is in lowliness. The heart of goodness is in commotion. When giving, goodness showeth benevolence. In words, goodness keepeth faith. In government goodness standeth for order. In business goodness exhibiteth ability. The movements of goodness keep time.
4. It quarreleth not. Therefore it is not rebuked.