Laozi said, "Good is like water", "Water is the good of all things, and it is the evil of all people, so it is a few words". What I'm actually talking about here is the way to be a man, that is, to be a man should nourish everything like water, but never compete with everything. This kind of character is closest to Tao. Although, on the whole, Laozi's philosophy of life is passive, if we eliminate its negative components and savor the essence of water carefully, we can still explore or deduce useful truth from it.
One said stupid.
Water is the source of all things. On the merits, there are thousands of monuments, and the capital to show off is not thick. However, it has always maintained a normal state of mind, not only not making public, but "sharing its light and dust", where it flows low, where it gathers much, and even flows deeper and deeper, and it flows more and more quietly. Such serenity and philosophical attitude are beyond the reach of many people. This is indeed a kind of "inaction", but it is not inaction to the "big self", but inaction to the "small self" and inaction to personal interests.
Second, Qi Xin.
Water is extremely cohesive. Once integrated, we must regard * * *, live and die together, and move forward in the direction of * * * without hesitation. Therefore, Li Baiyou lamented, "But since the water is still flowing, although we cut it with a sword." Because of its unity, the power of water is unparalleled: it gathers into rivers and seas, sweeping away today and washing the past; As soon as the wind blows, the waves will rise and be vigorous.
The third is perseverance.
Water is soft, but soft has bones. The persistent pursuit of faith is awe-inspiring The winding Yellow River is full of obstacles and temptations. Even though the mountains are green and ever-changing, the will to flow eastward into the sea has never wavered, and the heroic steps have never stopped. The waves hit the reef plate, and even if they are smashed into pieces, they will never retreat. Wave after wave, wave after wave, fighting bravely, and finally hitting the reef with holes; The cliff drips water, day after day, year after year, sticking to the goal, not being arrogant and impetuous, and "ticking" and "ticking" a thousand times, just cutting a hole in the stubborn stone. It can be said that "the world is the softest and the world is the strongest."
The fourth is broad.
"There are hundreds of rivers and rivers, and there is great tolerance." Water is the most loving, tolerant, penetrating and friendly. It is accessible, widely beneficial to the world, and unrequited dedication. It nurtures mountains and rivers, nurtures flowers and plants, breeds crops to thrive, and never chooses the fat and the thin, and loves the rich without mercy. It sets off the "moonlight on the lotus pond", builds a scenic spot in Dongting, sails and sails, feeds herring and silver carp and works hard. Its combination with the land is a part of the land, and its combination with life is a part of life, but it never shows itself.
The fifth is flexibility.
Water is unconstrained, rigid, rigid and paranoid, sometimes delicate, sometimes rough, sometimes charming, sometimes unrestrained. It changes from time to time, dew at night, foggy in the morning, steaming in sunny days, auspicious, cloudy days, rainy in summer, snowy in winter, and life condenses into ice. It changes with the situation, soothing into a stream and singing softly; As steep as a waterfall, tigers roar and dragons sing; As deep as a pool of water, keep a low profile; Vast as the sea, triumphant song forward. It will change because of the musical instrument. When it comes to a circle, it is round, when it comes to a square, it is as straight as a carved line, and the song can be a dragon, so it is called "impermanence of water." Water moves by machine, is born by movement, and advances by life, so it has infinite vitality.
Six is transparent.
Although there are muddy water, sewage, turbid water and even smelly water, polluters and smelly people are not water, and the water itself is clear and transparent. It is colorless, colorless and crystal clear; It is aboveboard, without desire or desire, upright and upright. Only when water is transparent can it be used as a mirror to reflect good, evil, beauty and ugliness. If people are as transparent as water and as calm as water, that's not good.
Seven is fair.
Water does not draw wealth, nor does it care about poverty. Whether it is placed in a porcelain bowl or a gold bowl, it is treated equally. If the water does not tilt and the water does not tilt, it is called "flat". If you are kidnapped, the water will roar. This is "injustice makes noise". If people take water as a ruler, they can cut out the length.
Of course, the above is only part of the excellent character of water, not all. However, no matter how much water is worth learning, the most fundamental thing is to "benefit everything without arguing", which is the real "goodness".
"Carrying things by virtue" is a sentence in Yi Zhuan. The original text is: "The terrain is Kun, and the gentleman carries things by virtue."
As for virtue, what is "virtue" is actually very simple. Helping others to ask for something in return is called a transaction. Helping others without expecting anything in return is called "virtue". If many people get your help and you don't ask for anything in return, then your virtue will be thick and you can be called respected.
Besides, if goodness is water, it is best, and the best way to live is water. What is water like? Water is good for everything, that is, water brings benefits to everything. If you don't fight, you fight for the benefit, so if you don't fight, everything will be fine, that is, helping others without asking for anything in return.
But I don't think this is enough. Lao Tzu went on to say that he is the root of all evil. There is a good saying that man struggles upwards and water flows downwards. What do people hate? Very low. So what everyone hates is low status, that is, modesty and prudence. Therefore, you should not only help others without asking for anything in return, but also keep a modest and prudent attitude. Don't think people are arrogant just because you are kind. If you can do this, you will be "few words". In other words, you have gained a way of life close to Tao.
Supplement: Lao Tzu said: goodness is like water, and it is indisputable that water conservancy works on everything.
Kong Ziyun: Water has five virtues, because it keeps flowing and can popularize all living things, as if it had virtues; Flow must be downward, not backward, nor square or long, it must be rational, as if it were just; Vast, as if there is a road; It seems brave to flow through hundreds of mountains without fear; Placement is not uneven, as if obeying the law; See how much, don't shave, it seems to be upright; Pervasive, as if penetrating; Originated in the west, as if determined; Take it out and put it back. Everything is clean and seems to be good at change. Water has these virtues, and a gentleman must look forward to it when he meets it.