“上善若水”，老子在第八章提出水是最接近“道”的存在，水拥有“道”的品质——滋养万物而不争先，永远处于低处。圣人，或者说得“道”的人，拥有水的美德——谦虚不争先、内心宽广包容一切、待人仁爱、说话真诚恳切、治理国家有条不紊、办事有才能、行动时选择最佳时机而不是妄动。

八章

　　上善若水。水善利万物而不争，居众人之所恶，故几于道。居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，政善治，事善能，动善时。夫唯不争，故无尤。

　The best of men is like water; Water benefits all things and does not compete with them. It dwells in (the lowly) places that all disdain -Wherein it comes near to the Tao. In his dwelling, (the Sage) loves the (lowly) earth; In his heart, he loves what is profound; In his relations with others, he loves kindness; In his words, he loves sincerity; In government, he loves peace; In business affairs, he loves ability; In his actions, he loves choosing the right time. It is because he does not contend that he is without reproach. 最优秀的人就像水一样。水滋养万物而不与它们竞争。水处于万物都不喜欢的低处，以这种方式，水和“道”最相似。（圣人）喜欢处于（低位）的地方；他内心宽广（能包容万物）；与人相处时他待人仁爱；沟通时他推崇真诚；他治理国家时推崇和平；办事方面他推崇能力；采取行动时他推崇选择最佳时机。正是由于圣人不争（不与万物竞争），所以他是无可指责的。