#78 Rise with Water’s Way

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 78: Open this letter to read Lao Tzu’s advice when you are struggling with shame and misfortune and hit rock bottom.

Nov 24, 2024

Welcome back to The Wisdom of Lao Tzu.

This week, we are reading Chapter 78 of the Tao Te Ching, where Lao Tzu offers his third piece of advice on dealing with difficult situations — master the water’s way.

In the previous two chapters, he taught us the power of gentle resilience and the importance of seeing the way things are. These are practical principles from his life experiences that can prove valuable in navigating tough times.

Do they still hold true for living in modern times?

Let’s find out.

**78**

天下莫柔弱於水，而功堅強者莫之能勝，以其無以易之。

弱之勝強，柔之勝剛，天下莫不知，莫能行。

是以聖人云：

「受國之垢，是謂社稷主；受國不詳，是為天下王。」

正言若反。

Border-crossing: English translations

#1 Lin Yutang’s version

There is nothing weaker than water

But none is superior to it in overcoming the hard,

For which there is no substitute.

That weakness overcomes strength

And gentleness overcomes rigidity,

No one does not know;

No one can put into practice.

Therefore the Sage says:

“Who receives unto himself the calumny of the world

Is the preserver of the state.

Who bears himself the sins of the world

Is the king of the world.”

Straight words seem crooked.

#2 Edmund Ryden’s version

In the world nothing is softer or weaker than water,

Yet there is also nothing that can outdo her ability to attack the hard and firm,

For there is nothing that can substitute for her.

Water overcomes rock; soft overcomes firm.

No one in the world does not know this and yet none can practise it.

Therefore,

The Sage’s words say:

To accept shame for the state is said of the lord of the altars of earth and grain;

To accept misfortune for the state is said of the king of all under heaven.

Orthodox sayings are seemingly reversed.1

#3 D. C. Lau’s version

In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water.

Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.

This is because there is nothing that can take its place.

That the weak overcomes the strong.

And the submissive overcomes the hard.

Everyone in the world knows yet no one can put this knowledge into practice.

Therefore the sage says,

One who takes on himself the humiliation of the state

Is called a ruler worthy of offering sacrifices to the gods of earth and millet.

One who takes on himself the calamity of the state

Is called a king worthy of dominion over the entire empire.

Straightforward words seem paradoxical.2

Deeper dive

Water is weak but actually powerful.

On a symbolic level, water washes away our impurity, cleanses the soul, and teaches inner resilience to adapt while staying low.

But why would Lao Tzu appreciate and advise learning the way of water? And why would he say that water is close to the Tao?

The way of water

From a technical perspective, Lao Tzu encourages us to follow the water’s way to navigate risks and self-preserve. This is indeed his life wisdom by observing the wonder of the natural world.

More importantly, Lao Tzu’s theory of Tao is based on the assumption that humanity can be inspired by learning how Tao operates — following wu-wei to move about gently and mindfully. On an existential level, it’s about changing our ways of doing things, understanding the world as it is, and adapting our perceptions of existence.

In this learning process, we can find our position naturally rather than contend against circumstances.

Yet, Lao Tzu could not specify his experience with the Tao. We only know from the text that he takes the Tao as an independent and mysterious existence. And one’s understanding of it is also a sort of mystical experience, such as dwelling in stillness to see and contemplate the order of things.

But still, embracing water’s way is a powerful indicator of spiritual strength.

To be struck by shame, being forced into a lowly position is shunned and detested by many. Yet, this is where water can find its place.

Highest good is like water.
Because water excels in benefiting the myriad creatures without contending with them and settles where none would like to be, it comes close to the way. (Tao Te Ching, Chapter 8)

Likewise, misfortune and calamity, in the eyes of many, are like a plague that should be avoided.

Yet, being trapped in those situations can test a person’s character and the depth of soul.

Therefore, Lao Tzu has the view that those who can take the shame, humiliation, and calamity for the state can be entrusted with the responsibility of a protector.

He Shanggong (approximately 200 BC-?) added to the statement — One who takes on himself the calamity of the state is called a king worthy of dominion over the entire empire— by saying that “if a ruler could take the blame on himself, and suffer any misfortune so that people don’t have to, then he is a model for all.”3

From the Taoist perspective, being a leader means being able to endure experiences that are unbearable to most. One must pass the test of spiritual strength.

That means standing out when no one can or is willing to, even if it means going against the currents (it’s not forcing but accepting what seems unimaginable).

It’s the strength to take the world’s accusations to protect others, sacrifice silently without anyone knowing, and endure suffering so others don’t have to.

To some extent, Taoism is like the moon that lights up the path for people walking in the dark, or it can function as a balm that soothes the wounded soul and inspires inner strength in life’s journey.

Spiritual Taoism

We face challenges of all sorts in the world. One thing I’ve learned from Lao Tzu and personal experiences is that, even in times of stability and peace, something hidden can shift life’s balance.

In other words, a crisis or emergency does not erupt suddenly. It is always present without our notice.

Thus, it is too important not to learn to guard the spirit when we are living in peace and not driven by emotional turmoil.

In this sense, Lao Tzu’s teaching of paradoxes reminds us to adopt reverse thinking and a holistic perspective, as things are interconnected and always in flux.

Therefore, a fall is an opportunity to discover the inner self and to pick ourselves up without getting drowned in the past.

Lao Tzu lived through a chaotic time and environment, so his teachings carried the weight of truth.

In times of personal, social, and political upheaval, Lao Tzu gave us three powerful and practical principles: the power of gentleness (not contending), seeing things as they are (not wishful thinking), and embracing the way of water (growing spiritual strength).

Peacetime and wartime require different coping strategies and life philosophies.

Lao Tzu has summarized it all in a transcendent statement, “Govern the state by being straightforward; wage war by being crafty; but win the empire by not being meddlesome (wu-wei).” (Tao Te Ching, Chapter 57)

This applies to all aspects of life in the human world.

My learning of Taoism has allowed me to realize that it is possible to become a gentle breeze for those who cherish your presence, to be a source of strength when circumstances require it, and to maintain a cool-headed and transcendent attitude toward entanglements, suffering, and misfortune.

It’s the utmost unity of the mind and the heart.

Let’s look at a conversation in folklore in which Lao Tzu explains his principles.

Gentleness can overcome strength

Confucius was a man of history. He was famous for his passion for learning the ritual systems inherited from the past. It is recorded that Confucius had a few conversations with Lao Tzu.

In one of their meetings, Confucius told Lao Tzu, “I’ve come here because of you. Can I ask you about learning the Tao?”

Lao Tzu smiled and said, “I’ve also known about you for a long time. I guess you want to ask me if your method, using the ritual system, can save this world from disorder.”

Confucius nodded. Lao Tzu said, “I’m afraid imposing the ritual order in the current world will not work. You are up against the law of the jungle. The virtue of water is a better strategy.”

Confucius asked, “What kind of virtue does water have?”

Lao Tzu replied, “The highest good is like water. It accepts being in a lowly position. This is humility. In the world, none is weaker than water, but this is why it has no match in being powerful. Water’s gentleness can overcome strength.”

Confucius and his disciples did not speak for a few seconds. Lao Tzu then said, “What do you think of my teeth?”

They all felt puzzled as they saw only a few teeth left.

Then, Lao Tzu asked, “What about my tongue? Can you see it?”

Confucius understood Lao Tzu’s meaning, thanked him, and left the country.

After this visit, Confucius gradually dissolved his obsession with political change while advising rulers of his time. Instead, he devoted his life to education and working on the great books.

Before Confucius, education in the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC) was a privilege of the elite and noble families. Educational practices were the exclusive right reserved for government officials.4 As the old political order and social conditions changed, so did the trend of education.

For the first time in ancient China, Confucius made the great teachings of classical education open to all, regardless of social class or family background. It is said that he had 3,000 students, of whom 72 became outstanding representatives of Confucianism.

Thanks for reading!

All the best,

Yuxuan