Pang Ruoshui
The literal meaning of "the best is like water" is: the highest good is like water.
Specific explanation:
The four words "The best is like water" come from Chapter 8 of Laozi's "Tao Te Ching": "The best is like water. Water is good for all things and does not fight for it. It is in the place of everyone. Evil, so it is close to the Tao. He lives in a good place, has a good heart, is kind and benevolent, speaks good faith, is good at governing, does good things, and does good things when he does it, so there is no special reason. The 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 contained in this, more explanation is needed.
Laozi said: "The best is like water. Water benefits all things without fighting. This is the virtue of humility. Therefore, the river and the sea can be the king of a hundred valleys. If they are good at water, they can be the king of a hundred valleys. The world Nothing is softer than water, and nothing can defeat the strong. This is the virtue of softness; therefore, the soft overcomes the strong, and the weak overcomes the strong. Because it has nothing, it can enter the void. From this, we can know that it is not said. "Teaching and doing nothing is beneficial."
He believes that the most virtuous 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 "non-verbal" and the benefit of "inaction".
Laozi also said: "Because it does not fight, no one in the world can fight with it. This is to imitate the virtue of water. Water is more than Tao; Tao is everywhere, and water is unfavorable. It is not a bad idea to avoid heights and go downwards. If there is any reversal, good will be found in the earth; if there is space, it will be pure and quiet, and the depth will be unfathomable; if loss is not exhausted, if one gives without seeking retribution, then good will be benevolent...
"Tao" is what creates heaven and earth. The total source of all things is something that exists before specific things, and is also the basic law and origin of things. Therefore, "Tao" is what each of us should recognize and understand. The virtue of water is closest to "Tao". Yes, "Tao" is everywhere, so water has no disadvantages. It avoids heights and goes downwards, so it can flow anywhere, nourishing all things and washing away dirt. It is clear and calm on the surface, but it is unfathomable. It flows continuously, benefiting all things without asking for anything in return. This kind of virtue is even the most benevolent...