Be steadfast in one's true nature
Be unchanging in life
Avoid arrogance
Disgrace others
Give up possessing and holding on to material things
Control one's breathing
Abide in the soft and relaxing
And these four things, therefore, are not given as possessions
But merely fulfilled for their own sake.
other readings further drafts from the same generation
deeper strata where the meaning thins
the original
1. The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence
of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying,
without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men
dislike. Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Tao.
2. The excellence of a residence is in (the suitability of) the place;
that of the mind is in abysmal stillness; that of associations is in
their being with the virtuous; that of government is in its securing
good order; that of (the conduct of) affairs is in its ability; and
that of (the initiation of) any movement is in its timeliness.
3. And when (one with the highest excellence) does not wrangle (about
his low position), no one finds fault with him.