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What does "the best good is like water" mean?

"The highest good is like water" is a famous saying from Laozi's "Tao Te Ching", which means "the highest good is like water", emphasizing that the quality of kindness should be as natural, tolerant and gentle as water. Being able to benefit all things without fighting is to be in the realm of Tao.

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Laozi was a thinker in the late Spring and Autumn Period of China. He elaborated his philosophical thoughts in the Tao Te Ching, in which "the best is as good as water" is a metaphor he used to describe the Taoist realm. . Specifically, "Supreme Good" means the supreme good, and "Ruo Shui" means that like water, it can nourish all things without fighting. This state of non-controversy is what Lao Tzu said: "Being in a position where everyone hates you is the way to follow the Tao."

Laozi's "Tao Te Ching" is an important chapter of ancient Chinese philosophical thought and one of the oldest philosophical works in the world. Its influence goes far beyond China. The main content of this book is to expound the Tao, advocate "governing by doing nothing", oppose power, oppression, and conquest, advocate moral norms, and advocate the harmonious coexistence between man and nature, man and society. Therefore, the verse "The best is like water" is also considered to be one of the classics in Laozi's philosophical thought.

Appreciation of the work

When appreciating this sentence, we can see that Laozi uses the metaphor of water to express Tao's thoughts, emphasizing the state of non-contention, thus achieving the "almost a few" In the realm of "Tao". This state allows us to try our best not to fight or compete for fame and wealth in our lives, but to do our own things quietly and put ourselves in a A state of inaction. At the same time, the phrase "the best is like water" also emphasizes the flexibility of water, letting us understand that the weak is stronger than the strong, which allows us to better adapt to life and social environment, thereby achieving better survival and development.

Personal understanding

From a personal understanding, "the best is like water" is a kind of wisdom in dealing with things. Like water, the highest level of goodness is one that has no fighting, no prejudice, no obsession, but one that can benefit all things without asking for anything. In relationships, this means being kind to others, paying attention to their needs, not being self-centered, and not getting involved in strife and fights. At work, this means handling affairs in a cooperative, coordinated, and inclusive manner, rather than striving for one's own interests in a competitive, suppressive, and exclusive manner.

When we pursue the realm of "the best is as good as water", we must learn to let go of our own stubbornness and prejudice, think in other people's shoes, and understand the positions and needs of others. At the same time, we also need to self-reflect, constantly explore our inner world, and seek self-improvement and perfection to better serve others.

In short, "the best is like water" is a noble way of doing things and a state of life. It requires us to handle various affairs with a peaceful, tolerant and selfless attitude, so that we can grow and progress better on the road of life.