If a drowning man drinks it, he dies. If a thirsty man drinks it, he lives.
上善若水。水善利萬物而不爭，處衆人之所惡，故幾於道。居善地，心善淵，與善仁，言善信，正善治，事善能，動善時。夫唯不爭，故無尤。
"The highest good is like water. Water is adept at benefitting all things but does not contend; It is located in places loathed by the numerous. Therefore it is close to the Dao. In dwelling, emphasise the earth; in your heart, emphasise becoming like a deep pool; In giving, emphasise benevolence; in speaking emphasise trust; In governing, emphasis rulership; in affairs, emphasise being capable; in acting, emphasise timeliness. And since there is no contention, there is no blame." LZ8
At the young age of 12 The Daoist Dude first came across this passage. "Like Water", adapting, moulding, abiding to whatever form presented itself. Flexibility, versatility. This is never easy, we can talk of becoming "close to the Dao" yet rarely do we practice it. Often the excuse is that life gets in the way - what foolishness is this! Life should never be the excuse, it should be the result. Being content, seeking truth of self through ones actions: in speech, in writings, in practice. Being free from "blame" is not about avoiding it, but we Daoists simply do not contend with others and are comfortable with the lower ground, where the water dwells.
Phones ringin'