The best (man) is like water.This is one of the most profound chapters I know of in the Tao te Ching. In fact, I think it is the simplicity of it that makes it so profound. Wu-wei? Perhaps. Wu-wei in writing is an interesting idea. I would like it to be true.
Water is good; it benefits all things and does not compete with them.
It dwells in (lowly) places that all disdain.
This is why it is so near to Tao.
[The best man] in his dwelling loves the earth.
In his heart, he loves what is profound.
In his associations, he loves humanity.
In his words, he loves faithfulness.
In government, he loves order.
In handling affairs, he loves competence.
In his activities, he loves timeliness.
It is because he does not compete that he is without reproach.
The second line sets up the entire chapter. Water is one of the repeating symbols of the Tao, just like the image of the female. Birthing and giving, benefiting all things and seeking the low, earthy places instead of aspiring to great heights, are wonderful virtues. Yet, I don't think this means that a hypothetical planet of Taoists would never have developed great bridges, or airplanes, or medical cures, or would have avoided a moonshot. Sometimes, things must be done. Their hour come round at last, as Yeats might have said. Taoism doesn't say stay at home and farm your life away. Life still has to be lived, but with leaders that do not aspire to personal greatness and encourages the like from her people, a lot of the acrimony and greed that fills our evening news would likely be swept away.
Lao Tzu says do not compete with others, but benefit all. Love your world, love humanity (this is not jen, the virtue, but a mass of people), be faithful and true, follow order. Do things right and on time. If you do all these things, then no one can speak ill of you because what is there to speak ill of? Man is impartial like the sage, like Heaven and Earth, when he benefits all and does not compete.
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