The highest good is like water.

Water gives life to the ten thousand things

and does not strive.

It flows in places people reject

and so is like the Tao.

In dwelling, be close to the land.

In meditation, go deep in the heart.

In dealing with others,

be gentle and kind.

In speech, be true.

In ruling, be just.

In daily life, be competent.

In action, be aware of the time and the season.

No fight: No blame.

The Tao that can be told

is not the eternal Tao.

The name that can be named

is not the eternal name.

The nameless is the beginning

of heaven and earth.

The named is the mother

of ten thousand things.

Ever desireless,

one can see the mystery.

Ever desiring,

one can see the manifestations.

These two spring from the same source

but differ in name;

this appears as darkness.

Darkness within darkness.

The gate to all mystery.

In the stillness of the morning,

I return to the source.

Like water that seeks the lowest place,

I let go of striving and become still.

The ten thousand things arise and fall,

and I watch their return.

Each one returns to its root.

Returning to the root is stillness.

Stillness is returning to life.

Returning to life is the constant.

Knowing the constant is wisdom.

Not knowing the constant,

one acts blindly and invites disaster.

Knowing the constant,

the mind is open.

With an open mind,

the heart is open.

With an open heart,

you act with kindness.

The highest good is like water.

Water gives life to the ten thousand things

and does not strive.

It flows in places people reject

and so is like the Tao.

In dwelling, be close to the land.

In meditation, go deep in the heart.

In dealing with others,

be gentle and kind.

In speech, be true.

In ruling, be just.

In daily life, be competent.

In action, be aware of the time and the season.

No fight: No blame.

The Tao that can be told

is not the eternal Tao.

The name that can be named

is not the eternal name.

The nameless is the beginning

of heaven and earth.

The named is the mother

of ten thousand things.

Ever desireless,

one can see the mystery.

Ever desiring,

one can see the manifestations.

These two spring from the same source

but differ in name;

this appears as darkness.

Darkness within darkness.

The gate to all mystery.

In the stillness of the morning,

I return to the source.

Like water that seeks the lowest place,

I let go of striving and become still.

The ten thousand things arise and fall,

and I watch their return.

Each one returns to its root.

Returning to the root is stillness.

Stillness is returning to life.

Returning to life is the constant.

Knowing the constant is wisdom.

Not knowing the constant,

one acts blindly and invites disaster.

Knowing the constant,

the mind is open.

With an open mind,

the heart is open.

With an open heart,

you act with kindness.