1. 上善若水，水善利萬物而不爭。
最高尚的善(指義人)像水一樣，水善於滋養萬物，卻不爭名利。
The noblest goodness (means the righteous) is like water; the water is good at nourishing all lives rather than fighting for self-interest and fame.

2. 處眾人之所惡，故幾於道。
它樂於處在衆人所厭惡的地方，這種特質和造物主天道的本質很相似。
It enjoys residing at abysmal places that disgust the public; its personality is similar to that of the Creator - the Word of Heaven.

3. 居善地，心善淵，與善仁，言善信。
義人像水一樣善於處世，其居所可以和低窪地一樣卑下，心胸可以和深淵一樣平靜，與人交往有仁有愛，言語舉止有誠有信。
The righteous like water knows how to conduct himself, his accommodation can be as humble as a low-lying land, his heart can be as calm as a deep pond; he treats neighbors with kindness and love and speaks with honesty and trust.

4. 政善治，事善能，動善時。
他善於掌管行政和治理國家，行事為人有能力，動作舉止符合天時。
He is capable of administrating a nation and good at handling public affairs and dealing with people, and acts at right time (that is vouchsafed by Heaven).

5. 夫唯不爭，故無尤。
人唯有像水一樣不為名利爭鬥，才不至於犯錯遭來怨恨。
Only when a man acts like water without battling for self-interest and fame, so can he make no mistake and incur no resentment.

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by JSLieh