The highest goodness is like water. Water benefits all things and does not compete; it dwells in places others disdain, and so is close to the Tao.
上善若水。水善利万物而不争、処衆人之所悪、故幾於道。
Philosophers
Laozi
Semi-legendary Chinese philosopher of the 6th century BC who taught wu wei -- effortless action aligned with nature. His Tao Te Ching founded Taoism and shaped twenty-five centuries of East Asian thought.
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Laozi's Other Quotes
Nothing in the world is softer than water, yet nothing surpasses it in overcoming the hard and strong.
In the pursuit of learning, one gains daily. In the pursuit of the Tao, one loses daily -- losing and losing until one arrives at wu wei. Through non-action, nothing is left undone.
The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
Related Quotes
I know that I know nothing.
-- Socrates
I know that I do not know.
-- Plato
When three walk together, one is surely my teacher. I follow what is good and correct what is not.
-- Confucius
I transmit but do not create; I trust in and love the ancients.
-- Confucius
The trouble with people is that they love playing teacher to others.
-- Mencius
I, Shinran, have not a single disciple.
-- Shinran