上善若水

shàngshàn-ruòshuǐ

idiom

Meanings

1 the highest good is like water
2 true virtue benefits all and contends with none

Characters

Examples

HSK 5

他的书房里挂着一幅字，写的是“上善若水”。

Tā de shūfáng lǐ guà zhe yì fú zì, xiě de shì " shàngshàn-ruòshuǐ ".

A piece of calligraphy hangs in his study. It reads "The highest good is like water".

HSK 7-9

上善若水，真正有本事的人往往最谦虚，从来不跟人争。

Shàngshàn-ruòshuǐ, zhēnzhèng yǒu běnshi de rén wǎngwǎng zuì qiānxū, cónglái bù gēn rén zhēng.

The highest good is like water: truly capable people are often the most modest and never compete with others.

Tips

history

The opening of chapter 8 of the 《道德经》: 上善若水。水善利万物而不争 "the highest good is like water: water benefits all things and contends with none". Water settles in the low places others scorn, which makes it the model of humility. A favourite line for calligraphy scrolls.

Stroke Order

上 shàng

善 shàn

若 ruò

水 shuǐ