Seven Taoist Virtues of Water to Keep You Grounded and Flowing in a Modern World

Photo by Leo Rivas on Unsplash

When you contemplate water, you are not contemplating H2O. You are reflecting on spiritual principles already in your mind, mirrored by water. The Tao Te Ching offers wisdom about water in this quote:

居善地；心善渊；与善仁；言善信；政善治；事善能；动善时.

What's in parentheses provides a closer literal meaning of the Chinese, which may differ from familiar translations.

1. 居善地(In dwelling, be grounded in lowliness)

Water excels at flowing downward, settling in lower places. In life, adopt a humble attitude toward events. Rather than standing high to judge good or bad, remain in a low place of detached observation.

2.心善渊(In the heart, be deep and tranquil)
Water can be still and profound. Seek deeper understanding instead of rushing to voice superficial opinions, whether to yourself or others.

3.与善仁(In giving, be kind and generous)
Rain nurtures plants without expecting return. When we give kindly without expecting anything, we receive tenfold.

4.言善信 (In speech, be sincere and truthful)

Water reflects images honestly. A white lie remains a lie, burdening the mind. Speak truth kindly and artfully.

5.政善治(In governance, be just and orderly)
Water flows around obstacles instead of breaking through them. You govern your mind; your thoughts are your subjects. Work with them with compassion, not force.

6. 事善能(In daily affairs, be competent and effective)
Water adapts instantly to a container’s shape. This flexibility enables effective task handling. To be flexible, release preferences and embrace reality as it unfolds.

7. 动善时(In action, be timely and effortless)
In summer, water flows freely; in winter, it freezes still. Act on intuition when timely, and let urges—like watching Netflix late—fade in your mind’s stillness.