道德经上篇：《道经》
第八章
【原文】
上善若水①。水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶②，故几(jī)于道③。居善地④，心善渊⑤，与善仁，言善信，政善治⑥，事善能，动善时。夫唯不争，故无尤⑦。
【注释】
①上善：最高等的善。若：像。
②处：停留、居住之意。
③几(ji:一声)：作“接近”解。
④地：低下、卑下的意思。
⑤渊：深的意思。
⑥正：行政的意思。
⑦尤：怨咎。
【译文】
最高的善就像水一样，水善于滋润万物却不与其争短长。它总是停留在众人不愿去的低洼之地，这种品德，最按近于“道”。上善的人总是甘居卑下的环境，心胸善于保持沉静而深远博大，待人善于相助、真诚可亲，说话善于信守诺言，为政善于治理，办事善于发挥所长，行动善于把握时机。正因为有不争的美德，所以才不会出现过失，招来怨咎。
English Translation
Version 1：by Daniel Baida Su and Shangyu Chen
The highest good is like water,
Nourishing all things and not contending with them;
Dwelling in loathsome places and thus coming close to Tao;
Dwelling among the lowly;
Great-hearted;
Loving in relationships;
Sincere in speech;
Establishing order in government;
Demonstrating ability in undertakings;
Perfect in its timing.
Only where there is no contention can there be flawlessness.
Nourishing all things and not contending with them;
Dwelling in loathsome places and thus coming close to Tao;
Dwelling among the lowly;
Great-hearted;
Loving in relationships;
Sincere in speech;
Establishing order in government;
Demonstrating ability in undertakings;
Perfect in its timing.
Only where there is no contention can there be flawlessness.
Version 2：by John C. H. Wu
