Word: The best is like water Laozi Pronunciation: shàng shàn ruò shuǐ Explanation: The highest level of good deeds is like the character of water, benefiting all things without striving for fame and wealth. The highest good: the highest good, the most perfect; water: here refers to the saint who has nothing to do with the world. When you reach the state of perfection, you are almost like a saint. Ruoshui: The ancient name of water. That is now the Yalong River. The section after it merges with the Jinsha River was also called Ruoshui in ancient times. [1] In layman’s terms: Water has the virtue of nourishing all things. It enables all things to obtain its benefits without contradicting or conflicting with all things. Therefore, there is no greater goodness in the world than water. Source: Chapter 8 of Laozi's "Tao Te Ching" (Yi Xing 8): The best is like water. Water is good for all things and does not compete with it. It is disliked by everyone, so it is close to the Tao. Live in a good place, have a good heart, be kind and benevolent, speak good words and have good faith, govern well, do good things and be able to do good things at the right time. The husband does not fight, so there is no need for you. Novel: "Legend of Seraph", people are impermanent, and their hearts are impermanent. The best is like water, which depends on the human state of mind, that is, the heart is like still water. Media: On the landmark building under the CCTV Tower on the West Third Ring Road in Beijing, there is the words "The Supreme Good is Like Water" written by the famous calligrapher, Vice Chairman of the Beijing Calligraphers Association, and Senior Colonel Ding Jiageng of the Political Department of the General Logistics Department, which is known as the "Cultural Scenery of the Capital". Laozi pointed to the vast Yellow River and said to Confucius: "Why don't you learn the great virtues of water?" Confucius said: "What virtues does water have?" Laozi said: "The best thing is like water: water is good for all things without fighting, and is disliked by everyone. , this is the virtue of humility; therefore, the river and the sea can be the king of hundreds of valleys, and if they are good at it, they can be the king of hundreds of valleys. No one in the world is softer than water, and no one who attacks the strong can win. This is the virtue of gentleness. So, the soft is stronger than the strong, and the weak is stronger than the strong. Because it is non-existent, it can enter the non-existent. From this, we can see the benefits of teaching without saying anything and doing nothing." When Confucius heard this, he suddenly realized: "Sir, this is the truth. He said, "Everyone is at the top, but the water is at the bottom. Everyone is at the top, but the water is at the bottom." Everyone is at the top, but the water is at the bottom. People are at the top, and the water is at the bottom. Everyone is clean, and the water is at the bottom. Who can argue with this? Therefore, it is the best thing." Laozi nodded and said, "You can teach me! You must remember: If you don't fight with the world, no one in the world can compete with you. This is the virtue of water: water is everywhere. There is nothing disadvantageous, avoid heights and go down, there is no rebellion, it is good to live on the ground; the empty place is pure and quiet, the depth is unfathomable, the good is the abyss; the loss is not exhausted, the giving does not seek reward, the good is benevolent; the circle will inevitably spin, The method must be broken, the blockage must be stopped, the decision must be flowed, and he is good at keeping his word; he can wash away the filth of the crowd, level up the high and low, and be good at managing things; he can float by carrying, he can be clear by observing, he can be strong and invincible by attacking, and he can make good use of his abilities. Also, don't give up day and night, keep pace with the times, and be kind to the times. Therefore, the sage acts at any time, the wise man changes according to the situation; the wise man governs by doing nothing, and the wise man lives by following nature. , Except for the desire for appearance. Otherwise, the voice has been heard before the person has arrived, the wind has moved before the body has arrived, and you are like a tiger walking on the street. Who would dare to use you?" Confucius said: "Sir's words are from It has entered the heart of my disciple, and I have benefited a lot from it, which I will never forget for the rest of my life. I will not neglect it to express my gratitude for your kindness." After saying this, he said goodbye to me, got in the car with Nangong Jingshu, and reluctantly drove to the state of Lu. go. There is also a Dui hexagram in the Book of Changes that has the same meaning as this! The connotation of the four words "The best is like water" comes from Chapter 8 of Laozi's "Tao Te Ching": "The best is like water. Water is good for all things without competing for it. It is what everyone dislikes, so it is close to the Tao. Living in a good place, with a good heart and a deep abyss, and Good benevolence, good faith, righteousness and good governance, good ability in doing things, and good actions in time. The husband does not fight, so there is no special meaning." Its literal meaning is: the highest good is like water. Water is good at helping all things without competing with them. It stays in a place that everyone dislikes, so it is close to the Tao. A person with the highest good should live in humility like water, his intentions should be as deep as water, his friends should be as close as water, his words should be as sincere as water, his government should be as orderly as water, and his work should be as carefree as water. No, your behavior must be like water, ready to act. Precisely because he has no struggle with all things like water, he has no worries. When it comes to the ideological meaning covered by this, more explanation is needed. Laozi said: "The best is like water. Water is good for all things and does not fight. This is the virtue of humility. Therefore, the river and the sea can be the king of hundreds of valleys. If they are good at water, they can be the king of hundreds of valleys. No one in the world is soft and weak compared to water to attack difficulties. Nothing can be conquered by the strong, this is the virtue of softness; therefore, softness overcomes hardness, and weakness overcomes strongness. Because it has no existence, it can enter the void. From this, we can see the benefits of teaching without saying anything and doing nothing. ” He believes that a good person should be like water. Water benefits and nourishes all things, but does not compete with all things. This is the most humble virtue.
The reason why Jianghai can become the destination of all rivers is because it is good at being in the downstream position, so it becomes the king of hundreds of grains. The softest thing in the world is water, but it can penetrate the hardest things. Nothing can surpass it. For example, a drop of water can penetrate a stone. This is where "softness" lies. Therefore, it is said that the weak can defeat the strong, and the soft can overcome the strong. Invisible things can enter into things without gaps. From this we know the teaching of "no words" and the benefits of "inaction". Lao Tzu also said: "Because he does not fight, no one in the world can fight with him. This is to imitate the virtue of water. Water is more like the Tao; the Tao is everywhere, and the water is harmful to everything. If you avoid heights and go downwards, you will not go against it, and you will be good at the ground. ; The empty place is pure and quiet, and the depth is unfathomable. Goodness is an abyss; loss is not exhausted, giving is not seeking reward, and kindness is benevolence... "Tao" is the total source of all things in the world, and it is something that exists before specific things. , is also the basic law and origin of things, so "Tao" is something that each of us should know and understand. The virtue of water is the closest to "Tao". "Tao" is everywhere, so water is everywhere. Unfavorable. It avoids heights and goes downwards, so it can flow anywhere, nourishing everything and washing away dirt. It is clear and calm on the surface, but it is unfathomable. The flow of goodness is to benefit all things without asking for anything in return. This kind of virtue can lead to benevolence and kindness... Edit the source of this paragraph: Shan Ruishui Album (8 photos) The source is this: One day, Confucius and Laozi were traveling and saw a small road. Lao Tzu said this with emotion: "The best thing is like water, water is good for all things without dispute. "And Confucius said something like this: "The dead are like this! "It shows that two different schools have different thoughts on the same thing. Laozi (600 BC - after 470 BC) (born at Mao hour on February 15th, Wuding Dynasty, Gengchen Dynasty in the Western Zhou Dynasty), his surname is Li Ming'er, and his courtesy name is Dan. He was a great philosopher and thinker in ancient my country, the founder of Taoism, and a world cultural celebrity. According to legend, Laozi lived his entire life. He had white eyebrows and white beard, so he was called Laozi; Laozi lived in the Spring and Autumn Period and served as a collection official (equivalent to the director of the National Library) in Luoyi, the capital of the Zhou Dynasty (now Luoyang, Henan). It was discovered in December 1973. Two handwritten silk copies of "Laozi" ("Tao Te Ching") were unearthed from Han Tomb No. 3 in Mawangdui, Changsha, Hunan.