Here are some translations of the Water Verse (Tao Te Ching Verse 8) that I gathered in FB notes in June 2009: PURPOSE, GOODNESS AND TAO TE CHING WATER VERSE 8 June 4, 2009 at 9:43am Is not "purpose", if good, good at any level – high or low, and are there “levels?” Consider Tao Te Ching’s famous water verse 8. Below are a few of the many translations of verse 8. _________________________ The best way to live is to be like water For water benefits all things and goes against none of them It provides for all people and even cleanses those places a man is loath to go In this way it is just like Tao. Live in accordance with the nature of things: Build your house on solid ground Keep your mind still When giving, be kind When speaking, be truthful When ruling, be just When working, be one-pointed When acting, remember – timing is everything One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things He [she] moves in harmony with the present moment always knowing the truth of just what to do. From Tao Te Ching – The Definitive Edition, translation and commentary by Jonathan Star (Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam 2001); p. 21. _________________________ It’s best to be like water, nurturing the ten thousand things without competing, flowing into places people scorn, very like the Tao. Make the earth a dwelling place. Cultivate the heart and mind. Practice benevolence. Stand by your word. Govern with equity. Serve skillfully. Act in a timely way; without contentiousness, free of blame.” From Tao Te Ching – A New Translation, translated by Sam Hamill (Shambhala 2005), p. 11. _________________________ The best are like water bringing help to all without competing choosing what others avoid hence approaching the Tao dwelling with earth thinking with depth helping with kindness speaking with truth governing with peace working with skill moving with time and because they don’t compete they aren’t maligned From Tao Te Ching, translated by Red Pine (Mercury House 1996) _________________________ The highest benevolence is like water. The benevolence of water is to benefit all beings without strife. It dwells in places which man despises. Therefore it stands close to DAO. In dwelling benevolence shows itself in place. In thinking benevolence shows itself in depth. In giving benevolence shows itself in love. In speech benevolence shows itself in truth. In ruling benevolence shows itself in competence. In movement benevolence shows itself in timing. He who does not assert himself thereby remains free of blame. From Tao Te Ching, The Richard Wilhelm Edition (Penguin Arkana – German translation, 1978, English translation 1985) _________________________ Best to be like water, Which benefits the ten thousand things And does not contend. It pools where humans disdain to dwell, Close to the Tao. Live in a good place. Keep your mind deep. Treat others well. Stand by your word. Keep good order. Do the right thing. Work when it’s time. Only do not contend, And you will not go wrong. From Tao Te Ching, translated by Stephen Addiss & Stanley Lombardo (Shambhala 2007; first published 1993) https://facebook/notes/dan-woo/purpose-goodness-and-tao-te-ching-water-verse-8/90283058374
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 19:03:59 +0000
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