WORDS & IDEAS
Xia 下
The lower place. The sea receives the rivers because it lies below them. The lower position becomes an image of receptivity and leadership.
Like water
上善若水。
The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to…
Read chapterThe lower position
大国者下流，天下之交。
What makes a great state is its being (like) a low-lying, down-flowing (stream);--it becomes the centre to which tend (all the small states) under heaven.…
Read chapterThe rivers and the sea
江海所以能为百谷王者，以其善下之，故能为百谷王。
That whereby the rivers and seas are able to receive the homage and tribute of all the valley streams, is their skill in being lower than they;--it is…
Read chapterThe virtue of not contending
善为士者不武，善战者不怒，善胜敌者不与，善用人者为之下，是谓不争之德，是谓用人之力，是谓配天古之极。
68. He who in (Tao's) wars has skill Assumes no martial port; He who fights with most good will To rage makes no resort. He who vanquishes yet still Keeps…
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