Blame

The eighth chapter of Laozi says: The supreme goodness is like water. Water benefits all things without contention, residing where others loathe to be, thus it approaches the Dao. It dwells in lowly places, its heart is deep and profound, it associates with others benevolently, its words are trustworthy, its governance is orderly, its actions are capable, and its movements are timely. Precisely because it does not contend, there is no blame. The meaning of this passage is that the highest goodness is like water. Water is good at assisting all things without contending with them. It stays in places disliked by others, thus it comes close to the Dao. A person of supreme goodness lives like water, content with being humble, their heart is as deep as water, they associate with others like water's benevolence, their words are as sincere as water, their governance is as systematic as water, their work is as capable as water, and their actions are like water, waiting for the right moment. Because he is like water, contending with nothing, he has no worries. Regarding water, our understanding is not comprehensive or profound. The ancient sages Laozi and Confucius had deeper and more insightful…