Chapter 7
The highest good is like water.
Water excels at benefiting the ten thousand things without contending. It dwells in places that the multitude despise. Therefore, it comes close to the Dao.
In dwelling, excel at choosing the right ground. In heart-mind, excel at profound depth. In giving, excel at benevolence. In speech, excel at trustworthiness. In governance, excel at bringing order. In affairs, excel at competence. In movement, excel at proper timing.
Precisely because it does not contend, there is no blame.